MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives will not subpoena Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to its investigation on “questionable allocations” by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in the national budget, Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. said yesterday. He said the rules committee, which he heads, would instead invite Diokno to its first hearing on Jan. 3 in Naga City. When asked who gave the directive to the budget secretary, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said it must have come from President Duterte. He said the P54-billion increase in flood control appropriations could be where “parked funds” that could be used for election purposes are hidden. He said the rules committee would invite DPWH flood control mitigation chief Patrick Gatan “to explain the government’s flood control mitigation priorities from 2017 to 2019.”“Does the DBM comply with the flood control mitigation master plan recommended by DPWH?

Source: Philippine Star December 20, 2018 16:10 UTC