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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House power struggle could affect 2021 budget OK -- Sotto

House power struggle could affect 2021 budget OK -- Sotto

Published Sep 21, 2020 02:50 pm

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the passage of the P4.506-trillion proposed 2021 national budget could be affected should the House of the Representatives fail to resolve the power struggle among their members.

Sen. Vicente Sotto III
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

He refused to meddle in the dispute between congressmen but Sotto is concerned on the possible delay of the enactment of next year's national budget.

"If they do not settle their issues, yes, the (passage of the) budget might be delayed," the Senate leader said in a text message.

Sotto said he was informed about the "real problem" of congressmen over the budget, "But I'd rather no meddle and speculate on what's happening in their turf."

He believes that there is no need for President Duterte to intervene in the bickering among his allies in the House. "He is not in the habit of interfering unless his perspective is sought," Sotto said.

A word war has ensued among some members of the House of Representatives after allies of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco clashed over the supposed disparity in the allotment of infrastructure funds for their districts under the proposed 2021 national budget.

Duterte’s son, Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte, had threatened to start moves to unseat Cayetano due to the inequitable distribution of funds. He, however, said later he does not want to get involved in the issue.

Cayetano and Velasco, both allies of the President, had entered into a term-sharing agreement.

In 2019, the government was forced to operated on a re-enacted budget due to the wrangling of lawmakers over the allocations in the national budget after then Pampanga Rep. Gloria M. Arroyo ousted Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez as House Speaker in 2018.

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