Velasco accuses Cayetano of railroading 2021 budget

Representative Lord Allan Velasco accused Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano of "bastardizing" the House of Representatives and railroading the 2021 budget bill.

Velasco stated that Cayetano's actions, including hastily pushing for the budget's approval on its second reading before suspending sessions, were a "desperate attempt" to cling to power and violated the Constitution.

He believes these tactics undermined the integrity of the House and were a move to preempt Velasco's own plans to become speaker.

According to Velasco, the majority of House members have lost confidence in Cayetano due to perceived inequities in budget allocations and the removal of leaders who did not align with his style.

Cayetano initiated the termination of deliberations on House Bill 7727, the 2021 General Appropriations Act, which was approved on its second reading before the suspension of sessions until November 16.

Velasco cited Section 16, Article VI of the Constitution, which requires both houses of Congress to obtain each other's consent when adjourning for more than 3 days.