HOUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Thursday confirmed that the infrastructure projects proposed by opposition lawmakers were indeed defunded, and then reallocated to other spending priorities under the P3.77-trillion 2018 national budget. Malacañang on Thursday said it had nothing to do with Congress’ move to slash the budget allocations for infrastructure projects of opposition lawmakers. Alvarez also challenged Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the leader of the so-called “Magnificent 7” bloc, to disclose where the P3.8-billion funding for his district went. ‘Vendetta’ – FloirendoLagman said on Wednesdsay all members of the “Magnificent 7” bloc – himself, Akbayan party-list Rep. Tom Villarin, Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr., Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, Samar Rep. Raul Daza and Capiz Rep. Emmanuel Billones – got zero allocations. In March, Alvarez and Floirendo all but admitted that animosity involving their women got in the way of their once strong alliance.

Source: Manila Times December 21, 2017 16:07 UTC