Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) — A day before Congress starts a special session to deliberate on the proposed 2021 budget, the Palace again reminds lawmakers to focus on the issue on hand rather than political differences.
In a message on Sunday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said, “Ang panawagan po niya (President Rodrigo Duterte) sa mga kongresista, isantabi muna…ang politika para maiipasa po natin ang proposed 2021 budget.”
[Translation: The President calls on congressmen to set aside politics and pass the proposed 2021 budget.]
On Friday, Roque announced the President called for a special session from Oct. 13 to 16 “to resume the congressional deliberations on the proposed 2021 national budget and to avoid any further delays on its prompt passage.”
In his Sunday announcement, Roque stressed the President’s request for lawmakers to stop with the politics and pass the national budget.
He added, Duterte is not involved in the choosing of a House Speaker.
“Hindi po nakikisali, hindi nakikialam sa politika ng mababang kapulungan ang Presidente,” he said.
[Translation: The President will not get involved in the politics of the lower house.]
Duterte earlier said lawmakers in the House of Representatives should stop their squabbling and resolve the budget mess or else he would take action.
