Diokno summoned to House to shed light on budget insertions

THE House of Representatives is set to hold “Question Hour” on Tuesday to look into alleged insertions into the proposed 2019 National budget.

The chamber has ordered the appearance of Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno, after it adopted the Resolution filed by House Minority Leader Danilo E. Suarez of the 3rd district of Quezon.

“In consonance with Section 22 Article VI of the 1987 Constitution and pursuant to the adopted House Resolution, you are hereby required to appear at the Plenary Session Hall on Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. to answer questions from the members of the House of Representatives,” Majority Leader Rolando G. Andaya, Jr. of the 1st district of Camarines Sur, said in a letter to Mr. Diokno, as quoted in a statement issued on Sunday.

The Majority Leader also sent Mr. Diokno possible questions that may be raised on the floor during the Question Hour.

“Further, you are also required to bring all pertinent documents such as disbursements, releases and office memos addressed to all government offices, among others,” Mr. Andaya added.

Mr. Suarez filed on Nov. 11 House Resolution No. 2307, asking the House of Representatives to summon Budget Secretary Diokno regarding the insertions that delayed budget deliberations in the chamber.

The Minority Leader is particularly concerned about the “issues regarding budgetary insertions… thereby raising the possibility of having a re-enacted budget for 2019.”

He also noted that the Fiscal Year 2019 General Appropriations Bill may be considered an election budget, in light of the May 2019 midterm polls.

The scheduled Question Hour, which Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo supported, will be the first under her leadership. —