Pork barrel system abolished – Romualdez
Speaker Martin Romualdez stressed on Saturday, Nov. 4, that the House of Representatives has “categorically abolished the pork barrel system.”
“Honoring the Supreme Court’s (SC) directive, we have instituted reforms to categorically abolish the pork barrel system. Our commitment to upholding transparency, accountability, and exemplary governance remains stronger than ever,” Romualdez said during the House’s submission of the ₱5.768-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) to the Senate.
“We have undertaken rigorous measures to ensure judicious and lawful allocation of funds. Our reforms echo our unwavering commitment to serving our people with utmost integrity,” said Romualdez, who represents Leyte’s 1st District.
The submission of the 2024 spending plan by the House to the Senate was among the highlights of Saturday’s special joint session between the two legislative chambers.
It’s now the senators’ turn to peruse the proposed national budget, a task that they will have to finish, ideally, before end of the month.
“I would like to extend my profound appreciation not just to the diligent members of the House but also to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and the entire Senate. Your unwavering collaboration has been invaluable,” Romualdez, president of Lakas-cmd said.
“Senate President Zubiri, as we entrust this pivotal document to you, I express my genuine gratitude for the Senate’s continuous partnership in our shared vision of nation-building,” he added.
In a 2013 decision, the High Court declared pork barrel--then referred to as the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF)--AS unconstitutional.
Ex-president Rodrigo Duterte came out in a television interview last month to criticize Congress, which he called “the most-rotten institution” in the country.
He claimed that pork barrel was “unlimited” in the House, and that he wanted House Speaker Romualdez and the rest of the chamber audited to find out how taxpayers’ money was spent.
The House has since released a clean audit report from the Commission on Audit (COA).