Metro Manila, Philippines – The National Unity Party (NUP), the second biggest group at the House of Representatives, is mulling bolting the majority bloc, its chairperson said, as the group has expressed dissatisfaction with House Speaker Bojie Dy.
In a press briefing on Monday, March 16, House deputy speaker and NUP chairman Ronaldo Puno said his members will meet during the congressional break to discuss the next steps. NUP has 41 members.
“He is not doing what he is supposed to do,” Puno said, referring to Dy.
“Kung wala rin kaming nagagawang matino dahil hindi namin alam ang direksyon at walang mga paglilinaw na ginagawa dito sa mga problemang hinaharap sa aming mga distrito eh, bakit pa kami nandiyan,” he added.
[Translation: If we’re not able to do anything meaningful because we don’t know the direction and there are no clarifications being made here about the problems our districts are facing, then why are we even here?]
Puno’s criticisms stemmed mainly from Dy’s supposed lack of action on budget concerns hounding congressional districts.
The lawmaker said funds for infrastructure programs were supposedly tagged “for later release,” saying no project was carried out in the first quarter.
He said the Department of Budget Management had supposedly not downloaded funds for certain social services projects in some districts.
“Baka magalit sa amin ang leadership, sila ang dapat nakikipag-usap sa Palace…eh wala naman silang pinapaliwanag sa ’min…wala naman silang sinasabi sa’min, nasa dilim kaming lahat,” he said, when asked if concerns were brought up to Dy.
[Translation: They might get angry at us since they’re the ones who should be talking to the Palace. But they’re not explaining anything to us…they’re not telling us anything. We’re all in the dark.]
Puno said while he has no personal issues against Dy, he is speaking up for members who felt “abandoned.”
He added he is willing to give up his position should the NUP jump to the minority bloc.
NewsWatch Plus has reached out to Dy’s office for comment.
Not related to impeachment stance
Meanwhile, Puno dismissed speculations that the possible exit from the majority may be related to the party’s stance on impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Puno said NUP members even voted for the sufficiency in substance of the impeachment complaints.
“Ang layo…bumoto kami for substance, bibigay kami ng suggestions kung paano gagawin ‘yung kaso,” he said.
[Translation: It’s far from that…we voted for the substance. We’re giving suggestions on how the case should be handled.]
In a press statement on Monday, the NUP said it is firm with its position that the ouster suits “must be grounded on clear, compelling, and credible evidence” to withstand trial.
“We cannot be accused of coddling the Dutertes. Kasi kami ‘yung pasimuno nga, noong mga nakaraan, di’ba partido namin. Mali bang magsabi na gawin niyong matibay ang kaso para hindi itapon sa Senado,” Puno said.
[Translation: We cannot be accused of coddling the Dutertes. After all, it was actually us who initiated it before – remember, it was our party. Is it wrong to say that you should make the case solid so it won’t be thrown out in the Senate?]
The NUP earlier said it is unlikely to vote in favor of impeachment, unless there is new evidence presented against the vice president.
