Solons after SC ruling on pork barrel: Let's move on

MANILA, Philippines - After the Supreme Court (SC) finally settled the issue on the controversial Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF), some members of the House of Representatives said it's time to move on and continue their legislative tasks.

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao and Isabela First District Rep. Rodolfo Albano III said Congress should now move forward and focus on enacting important laws and exercise its oversight functions.

"I welcome the decision of the SC on the unconstitutionality of the pork barrel which I hope will quiet the public and put to rest the controversial issue of the PDAF," Pagdilao, a neophyte lawmaker, said in a release.

On the other hand, Albano said Congress would also focus on performing its oversight functions, particularly on public spending.

"The SC decision was expected and practical. I am not sad about it because we can improve and go on. We can improve the budget system to ensure it must emanate from the policy makers," he said.

Albano believes that as long as there no political color attached to it, the system of dispensing services will greatly benefit the public.

Meanwhile, Davao City Third District Rep. Isidro Ungab said he sees a "paradigm" shift in Congress following the SC declared the pork barrel system as unconstitutional.

Ungab, the chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, says he expects longer debates, more scrutiny of legislative measures passed, and more investigations and oversight committee functions.

"It's the birth of a new style of legislative proceedings which I hope would lead to better governance and public service," he said.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. had said the lower chamber can live with the SC decision and it would not be appealed.

Belmonte said the House would instead work on a supplemental budget to rehabilitate areas devastated by recent disasters, such as Super Typhoon Yolanda.