By Teddy Casiño, BAYAN Chairperson and former Bayan Muna Representative
There are two things Congress should do before adjourning for the Christmas break:
- Undo its mangling of the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA);
- Impeach Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.
On the national budget, the Bicameral Conference Committee on the 2025 GAA should reconvene to return the P352.9B it slashed from agencies like DepEd, DSWD, and DOH; GOCCs like PhilHealth and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA); and Special Purpose Funds (SPFs) like the Miscellaneous and Personnel Benefit Fund (MPBF).
Most of these funds were realigned by the Bicam for pet pork barrel projects of legislators as shown by the P288.6B additional funding for infrastructure projects granted to the DPWH and P18.8B additional funding granted to Congress.
Congress should also abolish the monstrous P4.6B confidential and intelligence funds of the Office of the President as well as defund the P26B AKAP dole out for the 2025 election. It should realign the money to various assistance programs of the DSWD, DA, DOH and DAR and ensure that beneficiaries can access these funds without the need of approval or referral by politicians.
On the impeachment of VP Duterte, the Lower House should immediately act to send the complaint to the Senate for trial so that a decisioon can be made before the 2025 elections. Rendering justice and accountability on the highest officials of the land is a duty that should be given the highest priority by the legislative branch.
These two things can be done if the leadership of both Houses so desire.#
