Congress has summoned Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to take part in its Question Hour tomorrow afternoon to shed light on the questions related to the deliberations on the P3.757-trillion proposed national budget for 2019.
On Dec. 4, the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 2307 as Resolution HR00158, which was filed by House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez.
The resolution required the “appearance and participation of Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno in the Question Hour regarding the 2019 election budget.”
Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. required Diokno to appear at the Plenary Session Hall on Dec. 11 to answer questions from House members. He also sent Diokno the proposed questions to be discussed during the question hour.
“Further, you are also required to bring all pertinent documents such as disbursements, releases and office memos addressed to all government offices, among others,” the communication read.
Suarez filed the measure originally as HR 2307 on Nov. 11.
The summons to Diokno is part of the congressional “powers to conduct legislative inquiries and exercise oversight functions.”
Suarez said cited the importance of Diokno’s appearance in the Question Hour, saying “issues regarding the budget insertions arise, thereby raising the possibility of having a reenacted budget for 2019.”