Speaker: No extra pork for sectoral representatives

MANILA, Philippines—Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has thumbed down the demand of some party-list representatives to be given an additional P50 million in pork barrel following the decision to provide the amount to regular members of the House of Representatives starting next year.

But to appease the bloc, each of the 52 party-list lawmakers—now comprising a fifth of the 278-member chamber—can have as much as P15 million from the proceeds of the road users’ tax (RUT).

“This (proposed Department of Public Works and Highways budget will go to) public works projects. You cannot give P50 million to the party-list lawmakers then tell them, ‘It’s up to you how you will use it,’” Belmonte told reporters.

“From the road users’ tax, yes, they can have P10 million to P15 million (each), depending on the size of the streets (to be repaired),” the Speaker said. “They cannot use it (for other projects). The law says it (RUT) can only be used for road maintenance.”

Section 7 of Republic Act No. 8794 provides that money collected from the road user’s tax can be earmarked solely and used exclusively for road maintenance and improved road drainage, installation of adequate and efficient traffic lights and road safety devices, and air pollution control.

Belmonte also announced that about 180 House members had already collected their pork, euphemistically referred to as the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). –Michael Lim Ubac, Philippine Daily Inquirer