Senate eyes finance subpanel shifts amid Legarda absence

SENATE Finance Committee Chairperson Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito said government agencies assigned to the subcommittee of Senator Lorna Regina “Loren” B. Legarda, who is on extended medical leave, may be reassigned should she fail to return in two to three weeks. Mr. Ejercito said on Wednesday the budget process is being hounded by logistical challenges, particularly the lack of rooms for the hearings as budget deliberations coincide with the impeachment trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio. “When the budget briefings are closer to Senator Loren’s assigned departments and agencies, I would have to give it up or take over — or if not, assign it to the other vice-chairs who are willing,” he told a news briefing. Ms. Legarda has been on extended medical leave since Aug. 3, a few days after the Office of the Ombudsman announced that the senator and her son Batangas Rep. Leandro Antonio L. Levista will be investigated for disadvantageous solar contracts. She has previously denied all allegations. Mr. Ejercito said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, alongside cultural agencies, have been assigned to Ms. Legarda for the budget hearings. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel