“PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III said he will be different and will not withhold the pork of anyone. Where is that promise?”

Thus lamented Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay with the resumption of session of the 15th Congress, the opposition in the House of Representatives is hoping that the first tranche of their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) will be completed and released.

She reminded President Aquino of his promise not to hold the PDAF of any lawmaker, including the members of the opposition.

The three Arroyos in the House, namely Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Arroyo and Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo, have not yet received their pork barrel.

Aside from the three, Magsaysay and Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco are also porkless.

Meanwhile, other members of the opposition have received partial pork barrel, 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.

While the majority lawmakers are ready to receive their second half of pork barrel, amounting to P35 million, the opposition lawmakers mentioned are still waiting for the first half.

According to Magsaysay, Malacañang and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. should explain the delay in the release of pork, which has affected the delivery of services of the lawmakers.

Magsaysay decried the delay in the release of the minority bloc’s PDAF, which is essential in supporting projects in the congressional districts.

“I have more than 1,000 college scholars and majority of them have already stopped going to school because they are no longer receiving financial support,” Magsaysay said.

Also, the delay of pork barrel has forced her to close down a medical clinic which has been providing free health services for the poor since 2004 that her pork has enabled her to support.