BY ARGYLL GEDUCOS
In an unscheduled public address Thursday evening, President Duterte issued a cryptic warning that he will do his “thing” to save the proposed 2021 budget from being delayed if the speakership row between Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco will not be resolved soon at the House of Representatives.
“If and when I see that there will be a delay and it will result in the derailment of government service, I will, I said, solve the problem for you… Keep that in mind and we will see in the next few days if there is really something that we can hope for. ‘Pag wala, then I will do my thing,” said Duterte who appeared to be exasperated in the speakership battle.
Duterte, however, did not detail what he would do to resolve the issue in the Congress which is under intense scrutiny after Cayetano made the motion to terminate the period of debates and amendments for House Bill No. 7727 or the proposed 2021 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
“I’m just appealing to you. Gusto ko lang sabihin in one straight statement: Either you resolve the issue sa impasse ninyo diyan and pass the budget legally and constitutionally. ‘Pag hindi ninyo ginawa, ako ang gagawa para sa inyo,” he said.
And again, he said: “Hindi ako nananakot… Basta sinasabi ko lang, if you do not solve the problem, then I will solve the problem for you. Mamili kayo,” he added.
Duterte likewise noted that there is a bigger problem at hand than their dispute, particularly COVID-19.
“People are dying, people are sick, people need medicines, at marami pang ibang–alam ninyo ‘yan,” he said.
He likewise advised leaders of both camps to slow down with their intramurals and not to drag his name in the mess.
“Gusto kong maganda ‘yung administrasyon ko sana, kung kaya ko rin. Kung kaya kong pagandahin. Pero ‘wag na ninyo akong idamay sa away ninyo,” he said.
“Wag naman sana ninyong sobrahan ang laro sa Congress na ‘yung budget mismo ang nalagay sa alanganin,” he added.
