Opposition congressmen no budget for 2018

Opposition group calling themselves “Magnificent 7” were denied funds for infrastructure development as the national budget for 2018 was released.

There were a total of 24 congressmen who were denied of the funds. It also so happens that these 24 congressmen are known to be critical opposition against the Duterte administration.

The “Magnificent 7” include representatives Edcel Lagman, Egay Erice, Teddy Baguilat, Gary Alejano, Tom Villarin, Raul Daza, and Emmanuel Billiones. All of them were given zero budget for infrastructure funds under the 2018 General Appropriations Act. The other 17 congressmen however remain to be unnamed.

In a statement, Rep. Lagman of Albay said:

“Zero allocations are projected to punish and silence opposition legislators even as it is their constituencies who are deprived of the benefits of infrastructure development.”

Rep. Villarin of Akbayan Party-list also showed condemnation against President Rodrigo Duterte whom he thinks is simply taking revenge towards those who oppose some of his ways.

"It serves as fair warning to the rest of the House members that all must obey and support the move for a Con-Ass, no elections in 2019, and a shift to constitutional authoritarianism. Punishing democratic dissent by letting people suffer through withdrawal of basic government services is pure hubris," he added.

In light of the imposition of a zero budget, more opposition politicians are starting to speak up against the act, calling justice for the funds are not for themselves but for their constituents.

Gary Alejano of Magdalo Party-list aired out his thoughts saying that the current administration is clearly silencing opposition even with it being healthy dissent, and in effect hurting the people who are in clear need of the benefits of the budget.

“I will fight to the last drop of my blood before the courts and on the streets if necessary to protect the 8 million Filipinos who will be benefitting from the projects,” commented Caloocan Representative Egay Erice who shared the same sentiments.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, an ally of Duterte clarified that it was not that the opposition lawmakers would get zero budget, rather those who are in clear support of the administration would get more funding.

“If you’re with us then you will get something. If you’re not with us then you don’t get something… Allies will get more. More projects,” said Diokno.

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Source: CNN Philippines