“WE have to wait for the releases, because as of now the projected releases have not been made. We are hoping that they will release the PDAF, that’s all we can do now.”     Thus saidlawmakers as they urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to expedite the release of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of some solons and also to complete the release of those who have received partial PDAF.

Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said the first tranche of pork barrel of some opposition lawmakers should be released because the second wave of PDAF of the majority solons is about to be released in December.

Lagman said House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte should fulfill his promise of working for the release of pork barrel of all Congressional districts regardless of political affiliation.

According to Lagman, Belmonte vowed to work for the release of the pork barrel during the session break, however, now that the Congress has resumed session still pork of some opposition lawmakers remained unreleased.

Among those opposition solons who until now have not yet received their first tranche of pork are Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, Camarines Sur Rep.Diosdado Arroyo, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo and Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco.

Meanwhile, other lawmakers only received partial releases like Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, P15 million; Deputy Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, P14.6 million; Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap, P5.4 million and Occidental Mindoro Rep. Ma. Amelita Villarosa, P7.4 million.

Reports said that Belmonte has asked the DBM to prepare for the release of the second tranche of pork barrel of the majority lawmakers.

Lagman then asked Belmonte to explain the delay in the release of pork, which has affected the delivery of services of the lawmakers.