BRISTLING at the apparent discrimination against them by the administration, some House Minority members slammed anew Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad following reports that their allies in Congress are now preparing to submit the list of projects for the second tranche of Priority Development Assistance Funds  or pork barrel worth P35 million while they are yet to receive their share of the first tranche.

During the opposition bloc’s regular press conference, Deputy Minority Leader and Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay said she overheard his colleagues in the majority at the lounge of the House of Representatives talking about the impending release of the second wave of pork barrel funds.

“In the lounge, I heard that they are being asked to submit the list of projects for their second tranche. Kami zero as in zero pa sa first tranche worth P35 million,” said Magsaysay.

Magsaysay said they are hoping that Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. would triple his efforts to have their their pork barrel released because the delay smacks of discrimination. 

Aside from Magsaysay, other lawmakers from the minority who are yet to receive the first tranche of PDAF are Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap, Iloilo Rep. Augusto “Buboy” Syjuco, Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand “Martin” Romualdez, Mindoro Occidental Mindoro Rep. Ma. Amelita “Girlie” Villarosa and Davao del Sur Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas.

In a related development, former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has decided to share her PDAF with her colleagues in the Minority who until now have not yet received their pork barrel.

Minority Leader Edcel Lagman and Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay confirmed this report, adding that it was the initiative of Arroyo to share her pork barrel so that lawmakers can use the money for their scholarship and medical assistance programs.

The Department of Budget and Management allowed Arroyo to share her pork after the latter wrote a letter requesting a realignment of her pork.

According to Lagman, such practice can be done and was allowed by the DBM as long as the pork will be used for the same line item.

Arroyo, who is among the lucky lawmakers who received their pork barrel on time, is giving her colleagues at least P1 million each.

“Kung si Rep. Arroyo ay nabigyan na ng pork, bakit ang ibang member ng Minority hindi pa bigyan?” Lagman, who also received his pork in full, said.

To date, Arroyo is a no-show in the House of Representatives as she is recovering from three major surgeries on her cervical spine.

The third surgery was done last August 26 when the dislocated titanium implants in the cervical spine was corrected.

Her doctors advised her to take a rest for about three weeks.      With Jester P. Manalastas