MEMBERS of the House opposition bloc yesterday condemned Budget Sec. Florencio “Butch” Abad for the allegedly discriminatory release of their pork barrel, which they believe is part of a “divide and rule” scheme. This developed as the House of Representatives is scheduled to approve on second reading the P1.816- trillion national budget for 2012.    House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman deplored the continued non-release of pork barrel to some of his colleagues.

“Huwag kayong mag-divide and rule, iyung iba binigyan, iyung iba hindi,” said Lagman, adding that 10 or 11 lawmakers from the opposition bloc have yet to receive their pork barrel.

Minority solons noted that Lagman and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have already received their pork barrel. The alleged discrimination has been seen as a tactic to divide the opposition.

Like what he had said earlier, Lagman said Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. vowed to closely work for the release of their pork barrel.

“Ang sinabi, magsisimula nang mag-release si Speaker and he is going to work out with Sec. Abad,” said Lagman.

But a source said the release of pork barrel funds was beyond Belmonte’s turf. “The Speaker endorsed all the requests for the release of funds, including from the opposition. But the continued delay should be addressed to Sec. Abad. It was not beyond his (Belmonte) capability.”

The opposition lawmakers said the non-release of their pork barrel is causing serious trouble to their scholars who are now having hard time paying their tuition and depriving medical assistance to the indigents and even burial assistance.

The lawmakers from the minority who are yet to receive the first tranche of PDAF include House Deputy Minority Leader and Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay, 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.

During the deliberations by the House committee on appropriations headed by Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya on next year’s budget, Abad told the panel that pork barrel will be given to all lawmakers regardless of their political affiliations.