Lacson: Lump sum budget allocations fuel House speakership row

Senator Panfilo Lacson suggested that 'lump sum' allocations in the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021 may have contributed to the conflict within the House of Representatives concerning the speakership.

Lacson explained that numerous lawmakers requested their districts' infrastructure funding to be included in the 2021 National Expenditure Program (NEP) prior to its submission to Congress.

This led to a delay in providing a detailed breakdown of infrastructure allocations under the Department of Public Works and Highways' proposed budget.

He stated that the "lump sum" nature of these funds allowed for extensive negotiations and haggling among legislators.

Lacson further noted that when the NEP was finally submitted on September 7, not all congressmen were satisfied with the allocations, potentially exacerbating the situation.

He concluded that the consolidation of these budget numbers is likely a factor in the ongoing speakership dispute.