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Tuesday, August 20, 2002
Glo to skimp on, not scrap legislators' pork funds
"THE pork barrel is here to stay", President Arroyo made this assurance Monday to douse off fears of some congressmen that their pork barrel funds might be frozen as the government is having budget difficulties.
In her speech during the Awarding Ceremonies of the Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan in Lucena City, the President acknowledged that that even then President Manuel Quezon knew how important the pork barrel is to the congressmen.
The President went to Lucena to lead the 124th birth anniversary of Quezon where she handed out several awards and led barangay officials in their giving their pledge of support to the government.
Mrs. Arroyo noted that during his time, Quezon told a caucus of senators that he could not approve the proposal to remove the pork barrel for congressmen.
"The pork barrel has become an inviolate tradition among the representative. We can deprive them of all other things except their pork barrel," the President quoted Quezon as saying.
The President said this was the reason why she decided not to abolish the pork barrel anymore despite the present financial difficulties of the government.
But, the President said the pork barrel fund would be issued to congressmen in tranches.
"Despite our problem in the budget, I would not abolish the pork barrel due to our congressmen. But, we have to issue it in tranches so that cash flow going to our national coffer would not be troubled," the President said. (Joel San Juan) |
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