A win for the People’s Budget and the agenda of the President.
This was how House Appropriations Committee Chairperson Rep. Karlo “Ang Probinsyano” Nograles on Monday described recent developments in the House of Representatives (HOR), where rumors swirled that the solon from Davao would be removed as head of the committee he has headed since July 2016.
Nograles had earlier disputed an announcement made by Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, who Monday morning claimed that Nograles was out as Appropriations Chair––a claim Suarez later retracted.
“The minority leader cannot speak for the majority coalition, and has in fact already withdrawn his previous statement,” said Nograles.
Nograles said that though the House had the prerogative to remove him as Appropriations head, they should not be allowed to remove funding meant for programs that would benefit the people.
“If anybody wants to remove me as Chair of the Committee on Appropriations, then they can have the position, but they cannot be allowed to make the President break his promise to our people, and they cannot be allowed to deprive millions of Filipinos in so many provinces nationwide of the programs and projects that our kababayans and my fellow probinsyanos need, by tinkering with the budget,” stressed Nograles.
“If anybody wants to remove me as Chair of the Committee on Appropriations, then they can have the position.”
“Pwede nila ako tanggalin sa pwesto ko, pero wag lang nila tanggalan ng budget ang Pilipino.”
“They cannot be allowed to deprive millions of Filipinos in so many provinces nationwide of the programs and projects that our kababayans and my fellow probinsyanos need.”
Nograles said that with his retention as Chair of the committee, he would continue to work with his colleagues and the Executive to come up with a General Appropriations Act (GAA) that would address the needs of the country.
“This is not my budget; this is our budget. This is the budget of our people; and while I am Chairperson of this committee, I will labor and toil to pass a GAA that will serve the welfare of all,” Nograles said.
According to Nograles, his track record as Appropriations head speaks for itself.
“Sinikap ko na mapondohan ang mga batas na makakagaan sa buhay ng ating mga kababayan, tulad ng Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act at ang Free Irrigation Service Act,” said the third-term legislator.
“I worked hard with my colleagues in Congress and the Executive to hammer out a budget that addresses the needs of our kababayan, especially the probinsyano. I will continue to fight for a budget that will ensure that the commitments of the President to our people are fulfilled.”
