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Panelo tells De Lima: Shut up
Detained Senator Leila de Lima questioned the administration's claim of dwindling funds for the COVID-19 response, suggesting that intelligence funds could be utilized instead.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo advised De Lima to remain silent if she cannot offer assistance in the fight against the pandemic.
Panelo stated that President Duterte did not claim the government's funds were exhausted but rather that they were not infinite and that he would consider selling assets if necessary.
De Lima previously questioned the scrutiny of the P4.5-billion confidential, intelligence, and extraordinary funds allocated to the Office of the President for 2020.
She urged for a thorough examination of existing budgets, special purpose funds, and funds held by government-owned and controlled corporations before considering the sale of government assets.
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President Rodrigo Duterte considered selling government assets like the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Philippine International Convention Center as a last resort if funds for the COVID-19 response run out.
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Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III stated that selling government assets, such as military land, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the Philippine International Convention Center, is unlikely to be necessary for funding the COVID-19 response.
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President Rodrigo Duterte admitted that the P275-billion coronavirus response fund is not yet on hand, as it is still to be collected in the second, third, and fourth quarters of the year.
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