Legislators, DBM leave issues on cash-based budgeting hanging

Senator Loren Legarda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The impasse on the cash-based budgeting has not yet been resolved but legislators and the executive department are hoping to resolve the issue in the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac), Senator Loren Legarda said on Tuesday.

Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on finance, met with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Davao Rep. Karlo Nograles, chair of the House appropriations committee, but no agreement has been reached yet.

“Sabi ko kay Karlo at kay Secretary Ben, mag usap kayo. Sa Ledac daw nila ire-resolve [I told Karlo and Secretary Ben to talk. They assured that they will resolve the issue during the Ledac],” she said in an interview at the Senate.

At this point, Legarda cited two options to break the impasse— the House should accept the cash-based system submitted by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) or have a re-enacted budget in 2019.

“Ayaw namin ng reenacted [We do not want a reenacted budget],” she said.

But even if they oppose a reenacted budget, the senator said, the Senate has no choice if none of the House or the executive department would not give way.

The House has suspended its deliberations on the proposed 2019 national budget after its members questioned the shift to a cash-based budget from the President’s traditional-based system.

The Senate has also suspended its budget hearings pending the standoff.

Legarda said that before resuming their hearings, they want to know first if they would base their discussion on the cash-based system or not.

It would just be a waste of time, she said, if they would continue with the hearings if the House would not accept the cash-based system.

But pending the impasse, the senator said the oversight function of the finance committee can hold hearings when they resume session on August 28. Congress will adjourn this week.

“I’m ready to hold hearings August 28 onward. Kung hindi pa nagkaayos ang House at DBM ay maghehearing pa rin ako base sa mga performance ng mga ahensya [If the House and DBM are not yet settling the impasse, I will continue with the hearing based on the performance of the agency]” she said. /jpv

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