Lump sums may have fueled House squabble over speakership

Senator Panfilo Lacson alleged that 'lump sum' items in the proposed P4.5-trillion 2021 national budget may have contributed to the recent squabble over the speakership at the House of Representatives.

Lawmakers had requested infrastructure allocations for their districts be included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) before it was submitted to Congress, causing delays in submitting detailed listings under the DPWH's proposed budget.

Lacson said that extensive negotiations with some legislators led to these items not being initially included in the NEP. The House then incorporated them into the NEP after its September 7 submission.