The government has not yet processed priority development assistance fund (PDAF) releases for five allies of former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the House of Representatives, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said Friday.
Among the opposition lawmakers whose PDAF, commonly known as “pork barrel," are still uncertain include Mrs. Arroyo’s two sons – Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey" Arroyo and Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado “Dato" Arroyo – and her brother in law, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy" Arroyo.
Deputy Minority Leader and Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay and Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco also have not received yet their PDAF.
However, Belmonte gave those concerned an assurance that the House leadership is working for the release of the funds. "We will see what we can do," he said in a text message.
Also, he said the pork releases of four other members of the House minority bloc are now being processed.
Belmonte said the four are: Deputy Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, Occidental Mindoro Rep. Amelita Villarosa, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap.
Suarez, in a separate phone interview, said he and his fellow opposition congressmen have long heard the assurance for the release of the PDAF from the House leadership.
“Marami na nagsabi sa amin niyan. Matagal na rin namin naririnig iyan. Hihintayin na lang namin," he said.
The supposed delays in PDAF releases have prompted House minority members to boycott committee deliberations on the proposed 2012 budget last month.
Mrs. Arroyo earlier offered to share a portion of her “pork" with allies who have not yet receive their PDAF.
Each House member is allotted a P70-million PDAF every year, released in tranches, to enable lawmakers to categorically name priority projects for government funding. — LBG
