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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sotto asserts Senate 'power of the purse' as Roque disputes inquiry on PSG vaccination

Sotto asserts Senate 'power of the purse' as Roque disputes inquiry on PSG vaccination

Published Jan 4, 2021 05:19 pm

The exercise by the Senate of its ‘’power of the purse’’ does not violate the co-equal branch principle between Congress and the Executive branch, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III on Monday said.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III
(Joseph Vidal / Senate PRIB / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Sotto issued the statement to rebut an announcement of Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque that he could not understand why the Senate, as a co-equal branch of government, is questioning the security of the President of the Republic.

‘’Eh gayong hindi naman pinanghihimasukan ng Presidente ang seguridad ng Senado? So, siguro po, mutual respect for co-equal branches of government,’’ Roque said. (The President is not interfering with the security of the Senate. Probably, there is a need for equal respect for co-equal branches of government.)

Sotto said he does not know the context of what Roque is talking about.

‘’Our committee of the Whole (COW) inquiry is anchored on how the Executive plans to buy, distribute, prioritize, store, etc., the P72.5 billion we allotted for them to buy anti-Covid vaccines,’’ he stressed.

‘’Since when are we not allowed to inquire on our power of the purse?’’ he asked.

‘’If he is pertaining to the PSG (Presidential Security Group) inoculation issue, he is dead wrong. That is not in my agenda as (COW) chairman,’’ he added.  

President Duterte the other week revealed that some soldiers and some ranking government officials were inoculated.

Some senators said this is illegal since the Food and Drugs Administration is mandated to analyze drugs that are imported and distributed before they are to be sold to consumers.

The COW initial hearing is on January 11.

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