The House Committee on Appropriations has deferred deliberations on the P172-million budget of the National Youth Commission.
This developed after Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel raised the issue of the NYC supposedly getting involved in the monitoring of students over their recruitment into the communist movement.
NYC chairman Undersecretary Ronald Cardema denied the allegation made by Manuel, who adverted to a news conference where Cardema reportedly made the remarks.
“This is a presscon of the state-run NTF-ELCAC. Nasa balita na po ito. Kung magsisinugaling ang NYC chair, that reflects on the character of the person leading the NYC,” Manuel said.
“We also take note that NYC has no confidential fund, and the NYC is participating in such instead of youth-oriented activities covered by its mandate. Kakaunti na nga lang ang pondo ng NYC, hindi pa nagagamit sa tama,” he added.
Manuel said that Cardema in the same press conference said that NYC was coordinating such monitoring of students with the Office of the Vice President and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
“I don’t recall saying that, I don’t recall saying that, but we will check on that statement,” Cardema said.
Cardema also admitted that he is offering bounty to those who will pinpoint individuals who are supposedly recruiting communists, and that bounty is sourced from his personal fund.
“It’s from my personal funds, not from the budget of NYC. My personal funds do not need approval of the Commission. It is not government fund,” Cardema said.
Manuel said that Cardema was not fulfilling his mandate as NYC chair.
“It is very clear, the NYC is not fulfilling its mandate at ngayong nagsisinungaling, hindi tayo pwede mag-assume tayo na wala yung monitoring sa SK candidates and schools. I would appreciate it if we will defer the approval of budget of NYC,” Manuel said.
House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan of 4PS party-list then moved to terminate the budget briefing of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its attached agencies, except the NYC.
Libanan’s motion was carried.—NB, GMA Integrated News
