Cayetano ‘barkada’ wants to monopolize 2021 budget – Velasco

Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco lashed out at Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano for his “orchestrated lies” to escape the term-sharing deal for the speakership.

In a recorded video uploaded on his social media accounts on Friday night, Velasco said the real reason for the squabble over the 15-21 term-sharing deal was the proposed 2021 budget.

“Marahil maraming ang nagtataka sa ating mga kababayan kung bakit po tayo nagkakagulo ngayon sa Kongreso. Bakit ayaw bumitiw ni Speaker Cayetano at ng kanyang barkada sa poder?” he said.

“Simple lang po: BUDGET,” Velasco said.

“When we met with the President early this week, it was made clear, and I agree, that there should be no disruption in the passage of the budget and the House can pass the government’s expenditure plan in a timely manner – on or before October 14,” he added.

“But to hang on to the speakership and extend his term until December on the pretext of budget deliberations only raises suspicion,” Velasco said.

“Hindi naman po lingid sa kaalaman ng ating mga kasamahan sa Kongreso kung paano ang naging proseso ng paghahanda ng budget noong nakaraang taon. Kaya naman po maraming dismayado nitong mga nakaraang araw sa hindi patas na paglalagak ng mga proyekto sa lahat ng distrito,” he added.

“What our representatives want is for Congress to work on a fair and equitable budget for health care and health facilities, poverty alleviation and education,” he said.

“Ang mga tanong po kay Speaker Cayetano at sa kanyang barkada: budget ba ito para sa bayan or budget ng mga barkada mo? Makabuluhang budget ba ito sa gitna ng pandemya o malaking budget ba ito para sa grupo mo?” Velasco said.

“Is this why Speaker Cayetano and his sidekicks are adamant and fiercely fighting the peaceful transition of House leadership? Is this why Speaker Cayetano is trying to blackmail President Duterte and hold the budget hostage if his term is not extended?” he said.

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