Taiwan's Control Yuan nominees pushed back at a legislative hearing against defunding the watchdog agency, warning that paralyzing it hurts the public — a negative signal for Taiwan's already gridlocked constitutional politics.

• Nominees told lawmakers that whether to abolish the Control Yuan is a question for constitutional amendment, not budget cuts.
• Cutting or freezing the agency's budget would shrink its powers to censure and impeach officials, leaving no one watching the government.
• Li Kuang-chang compared it to closing police stations because crime is high — reform the body, don't shut it down.
• President Lai Ching-te's nominees, including Chen Yung-hsing as president of the body, face an opposition-controlled legislature that has repeatedly blocked constitutional appointments.
• One nominee also flagged that Lai's newly announced NT$10,000 cash handout appears to lack a clear legal basis, unlike past stimulus payouts.

Outlook: With the KMT and TPP holding the votes, the nominations look likely to stall again, leaving the watchdog agency running short-handed.