Ikalawang araw ng plenary debates ng Kamara, umarangkada

Transcript

00:00 The Department of National Defense is now investigating the alleged perjury against two environmentalists or environmental activists

00:11 who accused them of being targeted by the military.

00:14 This was reported by Mela Lesmora.

00:16 On the second day of the plenary debates of the Camera about the 2024 General Appropriations Bill,

00:24 various government agencies joined the congressmen in their questions.

00:30 For the Office of the Ombudsman, the issue of confidential funds was raised again.

00:35 The agency's budget sponsor, Appropriations Vice Chair Bienvenido Abante,

00:41 who is in charge of the office, was accused of this.

00:43 The Commission on Audit's requirements regarding the controversial fund were also raised.

00:48 But if they will only stay because of this, the agency is also prepared to remove it from them.

00:55 And certification.

00:57 I will show you.

00:58 I am raising it so the whole country knows that the Ombudsman is fulfilling his responsibility.

01:08 What our Ombudsman said,

01:11 "If it will question the integrity of the Ombudsman,"

01:15 what he said, "Yes, remove the confidential fund."

01:20 Let Congress remove the confidential fund of the Ombudsman

01:25 if it will only tarnish the integrity of the Ombudsman.

01:31 In the discussion of the Commission on Human Rights,

01:35 the discussion on the issues of the violation of human rights in the country was also raised by the agency.

01:43 Actually, the primary service of CHR or mandate is really to investigate state agents and representatives

01:51 should there be lapses and violations in their primary obligation to protect, promote, and respect human rights.

01:58 So definitely, you have the assurance coming from CHR

02:03 that they will assist in the safety, accountability, and policy reforms.

02:08 The Department of National Defense also participated in the plenary debates.

02:13 In an interview, DND Secretary Guilbaut Quidoro gave an update on the issue of two environmental activists

02:20 who went back to a press conference of the NTF-ELCAC and filed a serious accusation against the military.

02:27 There were many witnesses there when they surrendered.

02:31 Now, they suddenly went back.

02:34 So we are studying the possibility of filing perjury charges against them.

02:40 The Chief Public Attorney, Atty. Acosta was there and he assured that there was no coercion.

02:49 The plenary debates will continue on the next week.

02:55 Their target is to pass the 2024 National Budget.

03:02 The lawmakers are confident that the people will always assist in every procedure here in the Chamber.

03:10 Melalee Moras for the nation.