The 39-member Visayan Bloc expressed its support for the leadership of Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III amid rumblings of discontent among some representatives.
“The Visayan Bloc fully supports Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III and the leadership he has shown in guiding the House of Representatives, particularly in the crafting of the national budget,” Bacolod lone district Rep. Albee Benitez, the bloc’s convenor said.
On Monday, Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno has expressed dissatisfaction over Dy’s leadership, saying that several members of the National Unity Party (NUP) that he heads are mulling a move to the minority bloc.
Puno also said that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has not downloaded any funds for infrastructure and other social service projects across different districts in the country, as these allocations were supposedly marked “for later release” or FLR.
According to Benitez, the General Appropriations Act is the product of months of deliberation and consultation, adding that “under the Speaker’s leadership the House has pursued groundbreaking reforms that have ensured that it was passed in a manner that was transparent, fair, and responsive to the needs of the Filipino people.”
The lawmaker added that aside from prioritizing reforms seeking to restore public trust in the House of Representatives, the Speaker has also encouraged representatives to engage in dialogue to raise concerns within the institution.
He said that the Visayan Bloc shares his belief “that we are stronger as a chamber when we address issues constructively while remaining focused on our mandate to serve our people.”
