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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Hindi nagbabasa': Suarez has no chill in his response to these 3 senators 

'Hindi nagbabasa': Suarez has no chill in his response to these 3 senators 

Published Feb 16, 2024 12:32 am

At A Glance

  • House Deputy Speaker Quezon 2nd district Rep. David "Jay-jay" Suarez showed zero chill in his retort to Senators Imee Marcos, Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, and Risa Hontiveros over their supposed "demonization" of the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP). 

20240129_141230.jpgQuezon 2nd district Rep. David "Jay-jay" Suarez (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

House Deputy Speaker Quezon 2nd district Rep. David "Jay-jay" Suarez showed zero chill in his retort to Senators Imee Marcos, Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, and Risa Hontiveros over their supposed "demonization" of the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

In a statement, Suarez says the three senators had claimed to be unaware of the P26.7-billion government aid program's existence when they signed the Bicameral Conference Committee report of what would become the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The AKAP was inserted in the national budget by the lawmakers during the bicam meetings.

"Pumirma sila sa bicam report. Nandun ang lagda nila hindi lang sa special provision on AKAP kundi sa buong bicam report. Inaprubahan din ng buong Senado ang bicam report bago nila ipinasa ang 2024 General Appropriations Bill para pirmahan ni Pangulong Marcos," he said.

(They signed the bicam report. Their signatures appear not only on the special provision on AKAP but on the whole bicam report. The entire Senate also approved the bicam report before passing the 2024 General Appropriations Bill for Marcos' signature.

"Ugali ba talaga nilang pumirma kahit hindi nababasa ang dokumentong pinirmahan nila? Paano na ang ibang batas na ipinasa nila sa Senado? Hindi rin kaya nila binasa bago sila pumirma?" wondered Suarez.

(Is it really their attitude to sign documents even without reading them first? What about the laws that they pass in the Senate? Do they also not read them before signing them?)

The newest deputy speaker in the House of Representatives further said "Ignorance of the law excuses no one," especially if those who were ignorant were the ones who signed the law on question.

Senator Marcos had earlier assailed the AKAP, the funds of which she claimed were being funneled to the Charter change (Cha-cha) effort, particularly on the gathering of signatures for the People’s Initiative (PI).

The PI is supposed to be a purely civilian undertaking, and some senators have been painting a picture of it as anything but. And the AKAP appears to be their new tool for this, much to Suarez's disapproval.

"Kahit walang katibayan, pilit kinukulayan at dine-demonize ang isang proyektong tutulong sa mahihirap nating kababayan. Kunsabagay, yan na yata ang uso ngayon sa Senado: mag-akusa lang nang mag-akusa kahit walang pruweba," he said.

(Despite having no proof, they are forcibly politicizing and demonizing a project that is meant to help our poor countrymen. I guess that's what's en vogue in the Senate: to hurl accusations without anything to back them up.)

Related Tags

AKAP Charter change imee marcos david Jay-jay suarez
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