The Daily Tribune
Escudero, Co tagged as 'culprits' in 2025 budget insertions, says Puno
House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno has explicitly named then-Senate President Chiz Escudero and Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co as the "culprits" behind alleged anomalous last-minute insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Puno stated that Escudero and Co finalized the insertions, which did not come to light until recently.
He disclosed that Escudero and Co were part of a four-member "small committee" tasked with consolidating amendments to the GAB, alongside Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senator Grace Poe.
Co previously chaired the House committee on appropriations and co-headed the bicameral conference committee with Poe.
Puno narrated that although Romualdez and Poe did not attend the small committee's meetings, Escudero and Co were the only attendees, and this is where the insertions were made.
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