AT the start of the deliberations last Wednesday on the proposed 2015 national budget, Senator Sotto queried Senator Escudero on the budget of the Department of Health. The Senate practice is that no budget of an agency of government will be tackled without the presence of its head. Senator Sotto asked whether DOH Acting Secretary Janette Garin, who recently visited the UN Pinoy peacekeepers under Ebola quarantine in Caballo Island, would be present on Monday morning’s session to defend the DOH budget.
Following is the exchange between Senator Sotto and Senator Escudero: “Senator Sotto: When does the gentleman plan to take up the Department of Health budget?
Senator Escudero: On November 24, Mr. President. Uunahan ko na po kayo. Kung gusto ninyo magsuot ng protective gear para maprotektahan tayo, hindi ho ako mag-oobject.
Senator Sotto: So the gentleman is going to make sure that she is here, Mr. President, after coming from Caballo Island?
Senator Escudero: She can always wear protective gear, Mr. President, for her protection.
Senator Sotto: What if the other members of the Senate question the wearing of protective gear? We will not be able to see the facial expression of the Secretary.
Senator Escudero: We will accommodate whatever requests the distinguished Minority Leader may have as far as the attire of Acting Secretary Garin is concerned, Mr. President.
Senator Sotto: Thank you. We were told that the reason they went there–and that goes also for the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces–the reason is that they want to allay the fears of the troops. What about our fears?
Senator Escudero: At the proper time, Mr, President, I think Senator Guingona would be more than willing to address the questions of the good Senator when he defends the budget of the DOH.
Senator Sotto: Alright. We will take that up or we will cross the bridge when we get there.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you to the sponsor for answering my questions. There was no levity in those questions, by the way.
There has been widespread public disapproval of Acting Secretary Garin’s visit to Caballo Island together with AFP Chief of Staff Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. especially because they did not wear any personal protective gear (PPE).
Let us wait and see on Monday how people in the Senate Session Hall would react to the Acting Secretary’s presence. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT/JOSEPHINE JARON-CODILLA