Contact Details

Rm. N-411, House of Representatives, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
+63 2 931 5497, +63 2 931 5001 local 7370

The Minority as a block demands the full release of the PDAF to all its members.

Press Statements
  • Rep. Edcel C. Lagman
  • Office of the Minority Leader
  • 30 July 2011
  • Mobile No. 09189120137/09166406737

 

         As Minority Leader, I do not consider it a feat or a silencer to get the full amount of my congressional district’s half-year PDAF allocation after the recent releases of the corresponding Notices of Cash Allocation (NCAs), while many Members of the Minority have zero or incomplete releases for their respective districts’ entitlements.

The First District of Albay rightfully deserves the releases in the same manner as all other districts nationwide are entitled to their own releases.

The uneven treatment of opposition legislators smacks of a “divide-and-rule” strategy reminiscent of the colonial masters by driving a wedge within the ranks of the opposition.

           The Minority as a block demands the full release of the PDAF to all its Members and supports the complaints of some marginalized Members of the majority coalition who are similarly discriminated against.

           If the releases are not made soonest, the Minority shall consider boycotting the budget briefings to be conducted starting August 1 by the Committee on Appropriations or the committee hearings on the 2012 national budget after the general appropriations bill is filed.

           Budget briefings and hearings are exercises in futility and are worthless tapestries if funds are impounded and immobilized after the General Appropriations Act is enacted.