House to probe executive spending for pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — Invoking Congress’ power of the purse and oversight functions, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco yesterday said the House of Representatives would conduct an inquiry on how the executive department spent funds intended to fight the COVID pandemic.

“We’re going to have a few hearings so the executive will be able to explain and show how and where they used the funds allotted for the pandemic,” Velasco said.

Velasco acknowledged the mandate of the legislative chamber to conduct the probe.

“We need to find out whether the budget that we approved was spent well,” he said.

He did not give details on when the inquiry will start.

The Marinduque congressman said the lower legislative chamber is open and ready to provide additional funding for the government’s anti-COVID efforts, especially amid the threat of the Delta variant, which experts say is more transmissible.

He agreed that an additional budget might be needed in the future for the inoculation of children.

“Congress is always open to help the executive when it comes to legislation that need to be passed, especially when it comes to the needs of the public to fight the pandemic,” Velasco said.