Pinagpipilitan ‘pork’! House, Senate in stalemate as Cayetano’s camp insists on putting P10B for tourism aid in TIEZA

The Senate and House of Representatives are in a stalemate over the proposed P162-billion stimulus package for COVID-19 as Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s allies are adamant about having their share of alleged pork barrel funds.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Thursday (August 20) that the bicameral conference committee has not yet come to terms on the P10-billion allocation for the tourism sector’s recovery.

The Senate wants the amount used for loans and direct assistance for affected tourism enterprises. The House, however, proposed lodging the money with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

“Sinisikap namin sa Senado sa aming version na maglagay ng P10-billion tulong para sa kanila. Ngunit ang version ng House, ito ay sa infrastructure. Hindi po kami pumayag kasi para sa amin hindi naman kailangan sa panahong ito ang infrastructure,” Drilon said in an interview over Teleradyo.

Drilon said senators suggested a compromise involving a P1-billion budget for infrastructure projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways but the House contingent, led by Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, won’t budge.

“‘Yung pondo na ‘yun, isa pa sa mga bagay na as of last night wala pang kasunduan,” the senator said.

Politiko earlier reported that Cayetano allegedly pushed for the placement of P10-billion tourism recovery fund in the Bayanihan 2 under TIEZA as “pabaon” or parting gift for his allies.

Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza has called out Villafuerte for insisting on infrastructure projects instead of directly helping tourism stakeholders.

“The argument of Deputy Speaker LRay is distorted and story telling a lie. You know infrastructure is the new word for pork barrel. Your hand is caught in the cookie jar and you’re still defending it!” Atienza said.

Drilon said senators will stand their ground even if House lawmakers push for giving P10 billion to TIEZA.

“Nagkakaisa po ang Senado. Kahapon sinabi ni Senate President Sotto in open session na dapat ipilit ng Senado ang position nila na ang mga tourism enterprises ang matulungan,” he said.

The post Pinagpipilitan ‘pork’! House, Senate in stalemate as Cayetano’s camp insists on putting P10B for tourism aid in TIEZA first appeared on Latest Philippine politics news today.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)