Davao solon defends Hse leadership
By Nidz Godino
"I stand with House of Representatives…with all issues hurled against it, I expressed my full support and continued trust to my colleagues in Congress, under leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, and to all employees who continue to work, with or without sessions, to ensure government service is brought to every Filipino," Davao de Oro Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora, vice chair of House committee on appropriations, posted support on her official Facebook page as she complimented chamber for its dedication to needs and welfare of people.
Zamora,expressed full support for leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez in light of criticisms former president Rodrigo Duterte issued about realignment of his daughter's confidential and intelligence funds.
Zamora is member of Lakas-CMD and Davao's Hugpong ng Pagbabago party, Vice President Sara Duterte-Caarpio belongs. She also defended budget of Department of Education (DepEd) and Office of Vice President (OVP), both headed by Duterte, during House deliberations on 2024 national budget.
"Even if we are not perfect as institution, I know dedication of 19th Congress in swiftly passing priority bills, thus speeding up process of providing government service that would benefit many Filipinos… institution that is constantly criticized is same institution spearheads in ensuring needed infrastructure, schools, hospitals, roads, bridges are built as well as provide funds for various social services, scholarship, medical assistance and other programs," post continued.
House recently realigned P1.23 billion in confidential funds, including OVP and DepEd, prompted ex-president Rodrigo Duterte to retaliate by saying chamber has hidden "pork barrel" and is most rotten institution in the country.
Zamora said in all her years of service, Congress has grown more accessible to ordinary people and that it is right for it to allocate needed funds for each congressional district. She is now on her fourth term, after serving three consecutive terms from 2010 to 2019.
"This is why I want my constituents in Davao de Oro's first district to understand with all these issues, House of Representatives continues to work and strive to provide our promise of better life…this is why I call on everyone to, instead of mudslinging and criticizing, unite and rally behind New Philippines," her post also read, referring to President Marcos' Bagong Pilipinas campaign.
House leaders, in statement signed and released by House secretary-general Reginald Velasco, also defended institution from former president's attacks, saying realignment of confidential funds was made for benefit of the nation.
"It is essential to understand decision was made for benefit of the nation and not as personal affront to any individual, including Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio," they said in statement.
They added decision to realign confidential funds did not only affect OVP and DepEd alone, but also that of Departments of Agriculture, Foreign Affairs and Information and Communications Technology.
Statement also said leaders regretted Duterte cast aspersions against decisions of House leadership borne out of his "personal vendetta" and criticism is "disservice to diligent members of House of the People and very essence of our democratic process,. It is critical to remember that the 'pork barrel' system, which former president Duterte alluded to, has been deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court…our members are firmly committed to respecting and upholding this ruling…rather than making sweeping allegations in media, we advise former president, if he has tangible evidence of wrongdoing, to present it to appropriate authorities"
Deputy Majority Leader Franz Pumaren (Quezon City) also joined other House leaders in defending institution from the former president's attacks.
"We, as lawmakers duly elected by our respective constituents to represent their interests, do not respond well to threats and intimidation…if his Rody Duterte allegations have bases, then he should go to proper channels and file charges, but to insinuate bodily harm or even murder of member of House, this has gone too far…we urge former president to be cautious and reasonable in his criticisms,..we implore good former president to seek path of peaceful resolution instead of engaging in making threats and intimidation…we should unite, not divides," Pumaren said. .
Leaders of supermajority coalition, about 280 members of 311-man House, banded together to defend institution from Duterte's humiliating tirades, primarily on allegations of corruption.
In joint statement, political party leaders lamented Duterte maligned "institution that for years supported many of his own legislative priorities."
Duterte spoke ill of lower chamber in interview last week, defending his daughter Sara who refused to explain where her P125-million intelligence funds in 2022 went, after House leadership realigned P650 million of her confidential funds.
Older Duterte was member of 11th Congress or from 1998 to 2001, representing first district of Davao City. That Congress had impeached former president Joseph Estrada.
Rep. Zaldy Co (Ako Bicol party-list) also stood behind Romualdez, saying chamber "is on right side of history" under latter's watch.
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