House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano defended himself through a live video and explained that “politics” and “saboteurs” forced him to suspend sessions ahead of schedule.
In a live Facebook video, Cayetano said deliberations for the 2021 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) have been politicized as the heated battle for the Speakership of the House of Representatives continued to escalate.
“If we continue the budget [deliberations] on the floor, pinupulitika na (it’s already being politicized)… There are saboteurs, there are people na may sariling intensyon. Hindi na nakakapag-usap nang mabuti (We are no longer able to talk properly),” Cayateno said.
In an unexpected move on Tuesday, the House approved on second reading the P4.5-trillion 2021 national budget upon Cayetano’s motion, terminating deliberations.
This was seen as a move to prevent any attempts to unseat him on October 14, the date set for the supposed Speakership takeover of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, per a term-sharing agreement brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Senators warned the House squabble would delay the passage of the spending plan and may lead to a reenacted budget at the start of the year.
