Press Release
February 19, 2010

Aquino will oppose Speaker Arroyo
Won't block pork barrel of opposition

Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" S. Aquino III said Friday he will oppose a possible bid by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to get herself elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

"Meron tayong kaalyado riyan (House of Representatives). Malabo ang situation na magkaroon ng speaker na kontra sa Malacañang," said Aquino in an interview on DZBB.

There are speculations that Arroyo has decided to run for representative of Pampanga's second district so she could be elected Speaker and lead congress in shifting the country to a parliamentary system.

In the same interview, Aquino said unlike President Arroyo, he will not block the release of pork barrel funds to his political opponents during his administration.

"Hindi ako babawi sa kanila (Arroyos and allies) na hindi bibigyan ng pork barrel dahil kawawa naman ang mga tao sa distrito nila," he said.

"If she wins in her district (Pampanga), pupunta sa distrito niya ang nararapat sa kanya," Aquino added.

Aquino, however, stressed that the release of the pork barrel funds will be in line with his administration's national programs and priorities.

The leading presidential candidate also said he aims to keep the budget deficit to a minimum of P300 billion and that pork barrel releases will depend on the availability of funds.

"Wala, kung kailangan maghigpit ng sinturon. Pero kung nariyan ang pondo at pwede ma-release bakit di i-release? Kung bibigyan ng pagkakataon, di natin aabusuhin ito," Aquino said.

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