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By Sammy Martin, Reporter
House Speaker Prospero Nograles started
implementing reforms that he promised to do upon assumption to this
office to regain the people’s trust and confidence that Congress
has allegedly lost.
Nograles vowed that he would refrain from using
government funds for unnecessary foreign travels and throwing lavish
receptions for foreign dignitaries.
“I would rather that we spend people’s money
to improve the facilities of Congress that would help bring
government closer to the people,” he said.
Reforms must have “to start in our own turf”
by exercising austerity and prudence in the disposition of the
budget for the House of Representatives, Nograles stressed.
Even as the P1.227-trillion General Appropriations
Act for this year mandates dramatic increases in allocations for
social services and infrastructure development to sustain national
productivity, Nograles cited the need to eliminate “wasteful
spending” of people’s money.
“I will not be a globe trotting Speaker. I do
not intend to be the Speaker of the world,” the first Speaker from
Mindanao said.
Instead, he will renovate portions of the House
of Representatives and convert it into a multipurpose function
room where you can receive dignitaries for receptions like in five
star hotels with pride.
“Prudence is our guide. We know the bounds of
international protocol. We can avoid overspending without
jeopardizing international commitments and relations,” he pointed
out.
He noted that in the past, House funds are used
to cover foreign trips for the Speaker and the members of his
entourage that include other congressmen, relatives and staff,
aside.
He also promised not to play host to foreign
dignitaries for receptions held in posh hotels to save much-needed
funds.
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