I also don’t understand that,” Lacson told the Inquirer on Sunday when asked why some junior senators seemed to be eager to lead key Senate committees. Pressed about the duties and perks of a Senate committee chair, Lacson said senators were usually given a budget of P3.2 million each for the operating expenses of their committees. “Now the situation is different after Drilon equalized all the budget during his time [as Senate president]. “When you are a committee chair, you control the pace of the passage of the bill because it’s you who decide when to calendar it for a hearing,” he said. Of all the 38 committees, Lacson said the blue ribbon may be considered the “most powerful” because it could initiate an investigation even without a resolution or referral from the body.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer June 02, 2019 23:26 UTC