House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The House Committee on Appropriations on Monday, Sep. 9, swiftly terminated deliberations on the proposed P10.5-billion budget of the Office of the President (OP) for 2025 out of “parliamentary courtesy”.

As expected, Abra lone district Rep. Ching Bernos, a vice chairperson of the committee, moved to terminate discussions on the OP budget immediately after the budget presentation. She cited the House of Representatives’ long-standing tradition of extending courtesy to high-ranking officials.

The motion was seconded, but members of the Makabayan bloc objected to it, which led to a vote.

A total of 48 lawmakers eventually voted in favor of terminating the deliberations, with the three Makabayan members voting against it.

Explaining his objection, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel cited President Marcos’ earlier statement that all government agencies undergo the budget deliberations of Congress.

“So kung gano’ng ite-terminate natin ngayon ‘yung deliberations we’re affirming pagiging brat ng Vice President,” said Manuel.

(So if we're now going to terminate the deliberations, we're affirming that the Vice President is a brat.)

He is referring to the “spoiled brat” label Vice President Sara Duterte received for dodging questions during the recent budget deliberations of the Office of the Vice President (OVP). Unlike the OP, Duterte’s OVP was not granted “parliamentary courtesy”.

“And, in fact, Mr. Chair, pinapalabas natin na nagsisinungaling ang mismong presidente by evading the process of Congress, if hindi sila mag-undergo ng scrutiny,” the solon added.

(And, in fact, Mr. Chair, we make it appear that the president himself is lying by evading the process of Congress, if they do not undergo scrutiny.)

Navotas lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco, the panel’s presiding chairman, quickly flagged Manuel’s use of the word “nagsisinungaling” (lying). He stressed that such word is “unparliamentary” and “uncalled for”.

In response, Manuel claimed that the actions of the committee will determine whether or not the President’s statement was true or not.

“[Manuel’s statement] does not follow, because we are a co-equal branch of government and the president cannot dictate on this committee or the wills of each congressman. Whatever happens here today is the will of the majority,” Tiangco, the OP’s budget sponsor, retorted.

The panel eventually moved to delete Manuel’s utterances from the hearing’s records, with 51 lawmakers voting in favor and the three Makabayan solons voting against it.

After a heated back-and-forth within members of the panel, the appeal from the Makabayan bloc to manifest their supposed questions to the OP was finally granted. 

The three minority lawmakers were only given two minutes to make a manifestation and without asking questions.

For his part, Manuel sought the OP’s clarification on the alleged violations that still persist under the Marcos administration, particularly by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). He cited the alleged forced evacuations, extrajudicial killings, illegal arrests, bombings, and enforced disappearances.

Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas is seeking answers on the Philippines’ foreign policy, as well as if the government is planning to pursue charges against those who aided embattled Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quimbo in evading authorities.

Meanwhile, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro pointed out the rising appropriations for the confidential and intelligence of government agencies.

Following these manifestations, the committee’s senior vice chairperson and Marikina 2nd district Rep. Stella Quimbo would clarify that terminating deliberations does not equate to approval of the budget.

“Mayro’n pa pong isang pagkakataon ‘yun pong plenary debates na maguumpisa sa Sept. 16. Rest assured na lahat ng katanungan ay mayro’n pang isang pagkakataon sa plenary debates,” explained Quimbo.

(There is one more chance in the plenary debates that will begin on Sept. 16. Rest assured that all questions will have one more chance in the plenary debates.)