Solon cries foul over alleged P50-M ‘bribery’ to okay CCT

A Visayas lawmaker on Saturday cried foul over the accusation of some partylist representatives that the P50 million worth of assured public works project in various congressional districts is a bribe to approve Malacañang’s cash transfer program, which has been questioned by critics. "By twisting the facts and insinuating ill motives, I think several party-list solons want to dip their sticky finger into the regular projects of DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) in various districts in the country," Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said in a text message to reporters. Evardone did not name the party-list representatives, although it is on record that Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño spoke against new guidelines that allegedly increased the pork barrel of Lower House members who represent congressional districts. (See: House panel issues new guidelines on lawmakers' P70-M pork barrel) The all-party caucus held Friday noon reached the decision to support the continued deliberations of the budget, based on the assurance of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. of a more equitable and transparent allocation of funds to various districts, Evardone added. Lawmakers from Visayas and Mindanao earlier threatened to stall the deliberations on the proposed 2011 budget, in a bid to first resolve their concerns about the low budget allocations to their regions. (See: Visayas, Mindanao solons protest ‘inequitable’ budget sharing) "The caucus did not even discuss the conditional cash transfer program of DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development)," he said. "How can they blatantly twist the facts at the expense of the majority and minority members of Congress," Evardone asked. The lawmaker even turned the tables to those throwing them accusations. "Let's call spade a spade—they want a piece of the DPWH pie even if they don't have specific congressional districts," he said. He clarified that there is no additional pork for regular members of Congress and their districts. "The accusation is misleading and unfounded," Evardone said. He further said that his constituents will not ask a party-list representative on why their roads and bridges are not being repaired by DPWH. "But definitely my constituents will demand from me an explanation why no allocation was given to the DPWH in my district by the DPWH central office for the roads and bridges," he said.—JV, GMANews.TV