Budget chief: No need for a budget for plebiscite on shift to federalism

There is no need for the government to earmark a separate budget for a plebiscite on the proposed shift to federalism, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Wednesday.

This is because the plan was to make the plebiscite a “rider” in the 2019 senatorial elections, according to Diokno.

“I don’t need see any need for a separate budget for plebiscite because the plan is to have the plebiscite to coincide with the local elections,” he told reporters at a pre-State of the Nation forum in Pasay City.

Diokno said the “yes” or “no” question could be integrated in the 2019 polls ballot. “I don’t see any [need for a budget] for that,” he said.

The Consultative Committee (Con-com) tasked by President Rodrigo Duterte to propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution approved last week a final draft for a federal constitution.

The President received and approved the draft charter on Monday. He is expected to formally indorse it to Congress.

The budget chief, however, said that there are contingencies in the budget if the plebiscite would require a supplemental budget. /ee