MANILA, Philippines - Senator-elect Franklin Drilon belied Friday an administration-allied congressman's opinion that the next president could not control the release of the lawmakers' pork barrel.

"Naiyak ako sa headline na hindi na puwedeng i-impound ang pork barrel. Ibig sabihin ay automatic na ang release ng pork barrel. Ano sila sinusuwerte?" Drilon told radio dzMM in an interview.

He said the power over the release of the pork barrel is provided solely by the Constitution to the sitting president.

"Congress will appropriate, but the President will release," the veteran senator said.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD said Thursday that the next president no longer enjoys the power of the pork because of a provision inserted into the General Appropriations Act of 2010.

Lagman said the provision prohibits the President from impounding the appropriations, including the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of lawmakers.

Senators receive P200 million pork barrel while members of the House of Representatives receive P70 million.

Drilon said the supposed provision in last year's budget law would affect other appropriations, particularly in education and health.

He said Lagman should also remember that the release of pork barrel is always subject to the "availability of funds."

The debate over the next president's power over the lawmakers' pork came amid the anticipated battle over the House speakership.

There were suggestions that Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, the leading presidential candidate, may use the power of the pork to convince non-Liberal Party (LP) congressmen to support his party's bet for the speakership.

The LP, which is endorsing newly-elected Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte for the speakership, is expecting congresswoman-elect President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to seek the post.

There are accusations that Mrs. Arroyo will use her clout over a majority of congressmen to take the speakership, and use the position to push for Charter change. Such a move would give her an opportunity to return to power by running for prime minister under a parliamentary form of government.