Several senators have taken the cudgels for Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno after the House of Representatives urged President Duterte to fire him for inserting huge infrastructure funding in the proposed 2019 budget, allegedly without the President’s knowledge. “Secretary Diokno should at least explain in detail the process followed,” he said in a text message. Diokno on Thursday expressed confidence that moves to oust him as budget secretary would not prosper. House oversight functionAndaya pooh-poohed Malacañang’s rejection of the House call to fire Diokno over what he said was a “large-scale scam” in the preparation of the spending bill. Diokno, who appeared at the House Question Hour on Dec. 11, may not be the last of Mr. Duterte’s men to face grilling by the House.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 13, 2018 21:22 UTC