MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Francis Escudero on Thursday questioned the higher allocation for the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) in the proposed 2011 budget.

He expressed doubts on the motive behind the bigger budget.
 
In his interpellation during the Senate's budget deliberations, Escudero noted that the P62.7-million budget approved by the Department of Budget is higher than the PET’s request.

Meanwhile, other agencies' allocations were cut.
 
"Kumbaga nanghingi ka ng piso binigyan ka ng dalawang piso," he told reporters.
 
The PET, which handles presidential and vice-presidential electoral protests, is currently handling the case of former Sen. Mar Roxas, who lost to Vice-President Jejomar Binay in the 2010 elections.

Escudero endorsed Binay in the polls.
 
"Duda lang ako sa motibo dahil ngayon lang magkakaroon ng trabaho kung saka-sakali dahil may pending na protesta ngayon sa PET kaugnay sa posisyon ng ikalawang pangulo," Escudero said. "Hindi ko alam kung ito ay may kaugnayan dito. Sana wala."