'Speaker should account for lawmakers' US trip'

The office of Speaker Prospero Nograles should account for the expenses of over 20 congressmen who went with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her recent working visit to the United States. “Ang opisina ng Speaker of the House ang mananagot sa bagay na 'yan kasi lahat ng travels ng members ng House ay mangyayari lamang with approval of the Office of the Speaker," Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said on Saturday over government-run dzRB radio. (The Speaker’s office must account for this because the travels of the members of the House of Representatives will not push through without approval from the Speaker’s office.) Remonde issued the statement after Nograles and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez argued over leadership issues that were linked to the alleged lavish dinners of Mrs. Arroyo and her entourage in the US. The press secretary called on Nograles and Suarez to kiss and make up. “Considering that is the affairs of the House, as usual Malacañang would not want to interfere in the internal affairs of a co-equal and co-responsible branch of government. We encourage the two gentlemen of the House to sort out their differences so they can focus their efforts in the passage of legislation that is what is needed by our people," Remonde said. Nograles on Thursday took a dig at Suarez for seeking a change of leadership in the House as a “radical solution" to the House’s non-action on proposed revenue-collecting measures. “Just because he pays for expensive dinners does not mean he can change the leaders in the House, does it?" the Speaker said. Suarez's treat Meanwhile, Remonde defended Suarez from accusations that the lawmaker hosted a $15,000-dinner at Bobby Van’s Steakhouse in Washington D.C. in exchange for a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). “Medyo malayo siguro 'yan. In the first place wala ang (mga taga) DBP sa dinner na hino-host niya. Nawala rin ako and therefore I think it is not fair to assume he was doing that for DBP," he said. (It is far-fetched. In the first place, there was no representative from the DBP at the dinner and therefore I think it is not fair to assume he did it for the loan). "If he was doing that for DBP he should have hosted dinner for DBP officials especially the DBP board," Remonde added. Besides, he said the DBP is under former Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas and president Rey David, who he said have “proven probity and integrity cannot be influenced to make the decisions on the basis of dinners." Remonde also took a potshot at past administrations, saying the present administration does not engage in behest loans unlike previous administrations. “We have a very competent and very independent board in DBP. They cannot be influenced by a mere dinner to act on loan applications ... (It is) plain and simple intrigue," he said. - GMANews.TV