MANILA, Philippines — The multi-billion peso funds for infrastructure projects under the proposed P4.5 trillion national budget for 2021 could be “abused” for the 2022 elections, Senate Minority Franklin Drilon said. This, as a power struggle brews in the House of Representatives fueled by the “disparity” in infrastructure budget allocations in the congressmen’s respective districts. ADVERTISEMENT“I would like to attribute good faith but you cannot discount this as part of the preparation for 2022. Drilon was referring to the amount earlier flagged by Senator Panfilo Lacson, who pointed out that it is either funds for rehashed infrastructure projects or lump sum appropriations lodged under the proposed 2021 budget of the DPWH. Otherwise, this becomes a lump sum fund where the participation of Congress will become again after the enactment which is prohibited by the Supreme Court decision,” he added.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 21, 2020 01:52 UTC