House claims vs. Diokno a ‘diversionary tactic’: Palace

MANILA -- Malacañang on Tuesday said it agrees with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno’s statement that allegations of some lawmakers in the House of Representatives (HOR) hurled against him were to divert public attention from “insertions” in the proposed PHP3.8-trillion national budget for 2019.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this remark pointing out that after Senator Panfilo Lacson exposed certain insertions in the proposed budget, congressmen were put “on the hot seat.”

“I was just following the line of Secretary Diokno. According to him, this started because Senator Lacson exposed certain amendments or insertions. And because the members of Congress or two of them were in the hot seat, according to him most likely they tried to put him on a hot seat instead of them. So, in a way, it’s diverting the issue -- from them to him,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Panelo also rejected claims that the quarrel between some House lawmakers and Diokno would cause “constitutional crisis.”

Lawmakers earlier called for Diokno’s resignation after accusing him of allowing PHP75 billion worth of “insertions” contained in the proposed 2019 budget without the President’s consent.

The DBM chief was also accused of having links to CT Leoncio Construction and Trading, a contractor who bagged billions of pesos in government projects, an allegation which he denied.

Panelo clarified that Palace was not questioning the lawmakers’ authority to interrogate Diokno, but rather the “manner” which they asked questions.

“It’s a question of how you treat a fellow worker. We are not questioning the authority to question Mr. Diokno. What we were complaining against is the manner by which the Question Hour was conducted -- he was mocked in that Question Hour,” Panelo said.

Asked if he believed there were insertions in the proposed 2019 budget, Panelo insisted that it was the job of the Congress to go over the budget and realign them as necessary.

“Congress has the authority to review, to scrutinize the budget. The budget is just a proposal -- it’s for them to go over it, if they see any irregularity, it’s for them to correct it. And if such irregularity amounts to a crime, then it is its duty to recommend filing and charges against the wrongdoer,” Panelo said.

Panelo reiterated that Diokno still enjoys the trust and confidence of President Rodrigo R. Duterte and stood by his integrity and competence.

“The reputation of Secretary Diokno is solid. In 32 years of his service, there is nothing that we can throw at him. He was known to be one who says ‘no’ to any irregularity or any favor that is asked of him -- and he has been consistent with that,” Panelo said.

Meanwhile, Panelo bared that Duterte may “presumably” be the reason why Diokno will be skipping an upcoming House probe on January 6 next year in Naga City.

“There is only one who cannot make him go there, it’s the President. So presumably it’s coming from the President,” Panelo said, explaining that the basis for not attending would be the rude treatment he previously received from an earlier probe.

“The basis would be the rude treatment that he has received. And another reason is that, if you will be submitting questions to the resource person and you’ll not be asking them, so what’s the use of going there?” he added.

Panelo said if the House lawmakers sought for courtesy, they should also give the same. (PNA)