HE got what he wanted when he made a similar threat in the past, so his latest warning to withhold funds from those who oppose federalism cannot be taken as a joke.
But, in an attempt to stop the backlash, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Monday his threat to withhold national government funds from legislators not supportive of the shift to federalism was just a “joke.”
He said it was not serious because he didn’t have power to slash budgets. He said House of Representatives members know he couldn’t do such a thing as budgets are deliberated upon by the chamber. He couldn’t understand why others would take his threat seriously.
It was during the oath-taking of PDP-Laban members in Iloilo last week when Alvarez issued the threat. He had said he would respect the decision of those who do not agree with federalism but they should know that their districts might not get funding because of their decision. It did sound like a threat.
The proposal to shift from a unitary to a federal system of government is the main amendment to the Constitution that Alvarez and other House members are trying to push with the creation of a constituent assembly.
As to Alvarez’s claim that he couldn’t withhold funding, he might be right but there’s precedent of him getting his way by using his influence over legislators.
The passage of the death penalty bill at the House last year was marked by controversy when those who voted against the restoration of capital punishment for drug-related offenses faced losing their House leadership positions. Alvarez’s threat of reprisal reportedly led some members initially against the death penalty into voting in favor of it in its third and final reading.
The House passed the measure with 217 votes in favor of the return of the death penalty, 54 against and one abstention. Alvarez did not sack anyone and vowed instead to undertake a House leadership revamp, reports that followed the voting said. Alvarez did not have to sack anyone because he got the result he wanted.
His threat to non-supporters of federalism brought back memories of the pressure exerted on House members during deliberations on the death penalty bill. Such is the impact of the Speaker’s threats. He may say it is a joke but, to the recipient, it is not funny.
His approach is to give a serious warning then later soften its impact by claiming it was a joke when it was not.
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