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Ni ROMEO ALLAN BUTUYAN II
KINUYOG ng mga bagitong kongresista ang patutsada ni Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III sa di umano’y panghihimasok ng Kamara sa kontrobersyal na P23.3-bilyong halaga ng new Senate building sa lungsod ng Taguig.
Ayon sa mga mambabatas na mas kilala sa Kamara sa tawag na Young Guns, malinaw ang adyenda ni Pimentel sa kanyang pagsalungat sa tigil-gawa na iniutos ni Senate President Francis Escudero.
Anila, nililihis lang ng nabanggit na senador ang usapin kaugnay ng overpricing lalo pa’t sumipa ang naturang proyekto sa panahong nakaupo si Pimentel bilang ang Senate President.
“Almost everybody is in praise of Senate President Chiz Escudero’s decision to suspend construction of the new Senate building pending comprehensive review. All except Senator Pimentel who, last we heard, was still the Minority Leader. What gives?” pasaring ni House Assistant Majority Leader at Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun.
“Instead of hitting us, congressmen, the good Senate Minority Leader should welcome our move to applaud the decision of the new Senate leadership to uphold the principles of good governance. Hindi talaga namin maintindihan kung bakit nagagalit sa amin si Senator Pimentel,” dagdag pa niya.
Ayon naman kay House Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Jil Bongalon (Ako-Bicol Partylist), hindi makatwiran ang hirit ni Pimentel, gaya na lamang sa pasaring na pagkumpara ng huli sa pondo ng Senado at Kamara.
“One thing is clear: the House of Representatives, with its over 300 members, does not have a P23-billion building project. Senator Pimentel’s attempts to divert scrutiny from the Senate’s controversial expenditure by highlighting the House’s budget increase are unfounded and misleading,” hirit naman ng neophyte partylist lawmaker.
“Public funds must be utilized transparently and judiciously, irrespective of the agency or branch of government,” dugtong ng kongresista.
Ayon sa Young Guns ng Kamara, hindi nila responsibilidad na depensahan ang alokasyon at ginawang paggastos ng Senado sa kanilang budget.
“There is no need to be onion-skinned about the criticisms aimed at the Senate’s spending. As public officials, we must all be open to scrutiny, especially when it concerns the use of taxpayers’ money,” wika naman ni 1-Rider partylist Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, na isa ring abogado.
“The public deserves to know why the cost of the NSB has escalated so dramatically, and your role as a Senator should include ensuring accountability and transparency, not merely defending controversial projects,” diin ni Gutierrez
“Senator Pimentel’s defense of the Senate’s budgetary allocation on its new building is unnecessary. What we need is transparency and accountability. The question remains: why has the new Senate building’s budget ballooned to P23.3 billion, from its original allocation of P8.9 billion?,” bwelta naman ni Assistant Majority Leader at La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega.
“Senator Pimentel’s remarks are a distraction from the core issue. It’s about the responsible use of public funds. We, the Senate and the House, should all work together to ensure fiscal responsibility,” dagdag pa ni Ortega.
