Speaker to budget critics: Practice what you preach

September 17, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Without naming names, Speaker Martin Romualdez yesterday challenged critics of the 2025 national budget currently under review by the House of Representatives, saying they should try practicing what they preach.

“We cannot ignore the reality that there are those who seek to undermine our work – critics who speak of accountability while conveniently ignoring their own misuse of public funds,” he said, apparently referring to Vice President Sara Duterte, who has repeatedly attacked lawmakers.

“To these individuals, I say: let us be clear – this chamber will not tolerate hypocrisy nor will it stand idle in the face of such blatant disregard for public trust,” the administration stalwart and first cousin of President Marcos warned.

“This House has always stood by the principles of transparency and accountability, contrary to what some may claim. Let it also be known that this House favors no one. We do not bend to pressure or special interests,” Romualdez said during the opening of the plenary 2025 budget deliberations.

“This House answers to no one but the people. We will stand firm against pressure or influence, and we will guard every peso as if it were our own. The eyes of the nation are on us, and we will not fail them,” the Speaker reiterated in a strongly worded speech.

Rep. Zaldy Co (Ako Bicol party-list), chairman of the House appropriations committee, made the same commitment when he delivered his sponsorship speech, where he also called on his colleagues to help the leadership pass the 2025 General Appropriations Bill on time.

“The prompt passage of this bill is critical to ensuring that government programs are implemented efficiently, eradicating poverty and benefiting every Filipino, especially those in most need,” he said of House Bill 10800 (GAB 2025).

“As we deliberate on the proposed budget, I appeal to every member of this esteemed body to prioritize the timely approval of the General Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2025,” Co, president of the 54-member Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc., said.

Quoting Nelson Mandela, he said, “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity. It is an act of justice. Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made, it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.”

“Let us, as one Congress, join hands in ensuring that this budget reflects the aspirations of our people, aligns with our vision for equitable progress and fosters sustainable growth,” Co said, expressing hope the poverty level will be down to nine percent by 2028.

“With consistency and contin ued determination, we are poised to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2025 – a milestone that will bring about new opportuni ties and improved living stan dards for our people,” the Bi colano legislator said.