THE House of Representatives on Monday declared the chairmanship of the chamber’s Appropriations committee, tasked to deliberate measures concerning government spending, as “vacant.”
Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos III, during Monday’s session, moved to declare post vacant, which was approved by House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G Romualdez.
Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S. Co sat as the House appropriations committee’s chairman for more than two years, since the start of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s term. His replacement was not named.
In a statement, Mr. Co explained he “stepped down” from the House budget chairmanship, citing “pressing health concerns.”
“The highly demanding nature of my role has taken its toll, and I now need to prioritize seeking the medical attention necessary for my well-being,” he said.
Mr. Co has repeatedly faced public criticism amid concerns over the 2025 national budget during his chairmanship of the House appropriations panel.
The sudden change may be viewed as an attempt to “deflect” criticisms on the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) from the House leadership, an analyst said.
“Since Mr. Co was essentially the face defending the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) for the past months, the House under Mr. Romualdez may have made him as a fall guy for its unpopularity, to deflect criticism against him and Mr. Marcos,” Hansley A. Juliano, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.
The office of Mr. Romualdez did not immediately respond to a Viber message seeking comment.
AKAP was formed in 2023 by Mr. Co and Mr. Romualdez, a program meant as a stop-gap measure for Filipinos with limited income. Mr. Marcos included AKAP in the 2025 national budget despite concerns that it could be exploited for vote-buying and fuel patronage politics as the midterm election approaches.
The committee’s leadership shakeup also comes ahead of the 2025 Philippine midterms approach. —
Meanwhile, Mr. Romualdez said the House would hold investigations on mounting food and power prices, while also scrutinizing alleged misuse of public funds before lawmakers go on a four-month break in February.
“We will hold oversight hearings to ensure that the people’s money serves the people’s needs,” he told the House floor. “We will investigate the smuggling and hoarding that undermine our farmers and inflate food prices. We will… [also ensure] energy reforms that lower electricity goods.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio
