Arroyo backs minority on underspending inquiry

SPEAKER Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday supported the Minority bloc’s intent to look into underspending by the Duterte Administration.
“I agree with them, I agree with the minority, on the general evaluation of the situation,” Ms. Arroyo told reporters over a lunch meeting at the Speaker’s Social Hall.
“We’d like to find out what the reasons are, and how we can help to address those reasons,” she added.
The Speaker said at this point, the 17^th Congress should turn its focus on its oversight functions to assess the implementation of the policies legislated in the past three years.
She said that while the Executive branch is responsible for ensuring the implementation of laws, the House of Representatives may offer support to the implementing agencies, particularly through House Resolutions or through House oversight functions.
“Of course the other congressmen, they have their own point of view and if their oversight wants to look into underspending that’s a very good function. That’s a very good intention,” the Speaker added.
The Minority bloc, led by Rep. Danilo E. Suarez of the third district of Quezon, had earlier questioned the government’s alleged P975 billion worth of underspending and filed House Resolution 2307 to hold a “question hour” with Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno.
“What I tell the congressmen, this is free assembly with freedom of thought and freedom of action as long as you stay with the parliamentary rules,” she said.
“So if they want to have a Question Hour, it’s their call.” — Charmaine A. Tadalan