Senators blast Palace for holding release of ‘pork’
08/24/2007 | 08:11 PM
Senators on Friday protested the refusal of Malacañang to release their Priority Development Assistance Fund, also known as "pork barrel funds."
In a radio interview, Senate President Manuel Villar said that the DBM was apparently selective in the release of the pork barrel funds, as some of their colleagues receive their PDAF allocation while others do not.
Villar and Sen. Pia Cayetano also called for transparency in the allocation, release and use of the pork barrel funds.
Senators are entitled to P120 million each in pork barrel while congressmen are entitled to P60 million each.
"Not all (legislators) get their release [of pork barrel funds]. So were not sure if the projects that we are entitled to identify would be funded because it’s Malacañang that decides [on the release of the funds]," Villar said.
"Some get their full P120 million but some (senators) who were critical of Malacañang apparently don't get their pork barrel funds," said Villar. He said that there were times he himself did not get his PDAF funds released for the project he had identified.
Villar also defended his fellow senators from the grumblings of some congressmen who questioned the bigger pork barrel funds allocated for members of the Senate. Yet, Villar said he would also be amenable to an equal entitlement for pork barrel fund allocation for all legislators.
"The constituency of the Senate is nationwide, and there are 220 districts all over the Philippines," Villar noted.
In a separate interview, Cayetano said that the pork barrel funds for her and her brother Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano have yet to be released by Malacañang.
"The last time we talked (she and Sen. Alan Peter), we found out that both of us have not gotten our pork barrel funds. I had some releases in 2005, but in 2006 its zero. For this year, nothing," she said.
Both Villar and Cayetano called for greater transparency in the allocation, release and use of pork barrel funds, amid public criticisms on the issue.
"What is more important is how these funds are going to be used and that each legislator should explain this," Villar said.
"The bigger issue is how the pork barrel funds are spent. Why don't we make a national program where our priorities (for pork barrel use) are identified?" said Sen. Pia Cayetano for her part.
She also suggested that pork barrel funds could be identified in the line items in the national budget, saying that since one of her advocacy is health she could be entitled to a certain amount, which would go to various district hospitals in the country.
"I would support that proposal, so it becomes irrelevant who has what amount. At least we know where it's going," she said. - GMANews.TV
In a radio interview, Senate President Manuel Villar said that the DBM was apparently selective in the release of the pork barrel funds, as some of their colleagues receive their PDAF allocation while others do not.
Villar and Sen. Pia Cayetano also called for transparency in the allocation, release and use of the pork barrel funds.
Senators are entitled to P120 million each in pork barrel while congressmen are entitled to P60 million each.
"Not all (legislators) get their release [of pork barrel funds]. So were not sure if the projects that we are entitled to identify would be funded because it’s Malacañang that decides [on the release of the funds]," Villar said.
"Some get their full P120 million but some (senators) who were critical of Malacañang apparently don't get their pork barrel funds," said Villar. He said that there were times he himself did not get his PDAF funds released for the project he had identified.
Villar also defended his fellow senators from the grumblings of some congressmen who questioned the bigger pork barrel funds allocated for members of the Senate. Yet, Villar said he would also be amenable to an equal entitlement for pork barrel fund allocation for all legislators.
"The constituency of the Senate is nationwide, and there are 220 districts all over the Philippines," Villar noted.
In a separate interview, Cayetano said that the pork barrel funds for her and her brother Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano have yet to be released by Malacañang.
"The last time we talked (she and Sen. Alan Peter), we found out that both of us have not gotten our pork barrel funds. I had some releases in 2005, but in 2006 its zero. For this year, nothing," she said.
Both Villar and Cayetano called for greater transparency in the allocation, release and use of pork barrel funds, amid public criticisms on the issue.
"What is more important is how these funds are going to be used and that each legislator should explain this," Villar said.
"The bigger issue is how the pork barrel funds are spent. Why don't we make a national program where our priorities (for pork barrel use) are identified?" said Sen. Pia Cayetano for her part.
She also suggested that pork barrel funds could be identified in the line items in the national budget, saying that since one of her advocacy is health she could be entitled to a certain amount, which would go to various district hospitals in the country.
"I would support that proposal, so it becomes irrelevant who has what amount. At least we know where it's going," she said. - GMANews.TV
