Speaker Martin Romualdez stressed on Saturday, Nov. 4 that the House of Representatives has "categorically abolished the pork barrel system".
Ex-president Rodrigo Duterte came out in a television interview last October to crticize Congress, which he called "the most rotten institution" in the country.
Pork barrel system 'abolished', Romualdez insists as House hands over budget bill to Senate
Nov 4, 2023 07:30 AM
At a glance
House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), former president Rodrigo Duterte (Speaker’s office, Malacañang photo)
Speaker Martin Romualdez stressed on Saturday, Nov. 4 that the House of Representatives has "categorically abolished the pork barrel system".
This came a few weeks after former president Rodrigo Duterte assailed the House for allegedly having "unlimited" pork barrel, or discretionary funds.
"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 P5.768-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) to the Senate.
The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president made no mention of Duterte in his speech.
"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 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.
READ THIS TOO:
In a 2013 decision, the High Court declared pork barrel--then referred to as the Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF)--as unconstitutional.
Ex-president Duterte came out in a television interview last October to crticize 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).