The House minority bloc wants to summon the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) as they expressed concern that next year’s budget “might be used for personal campaigns of candidates” in the 2019 midterm elections.
“2019 is an election year. The Minority is concerned that the people’s purse might be used for personal campaigns of candidates and re-electionists, instead of its true public purpose,” Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said in a statement which was also read in a press briefing.
“Hence, we, the members of the Minority, call on the DBM to appear before the House to explain and correct the irregularities in the implementation of the 2018 budget and in the proposed 2019 national budget,” the Quezon 3rd District congressman added.
Suarez also filed House Resolution No. 2307, which requires the appearance of DBM Secretary Benjamin Diokno during the question hour for the 2019 General Appropriations Bill.
On Tuesday, the House gave its approval to the Duterte administration’s P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019.
READ: House OKs 2019 budget on final reading
But the Suarez-led minority group said they have some reservations regarding its passage, noting the “irregular budget insertions amounting to P55 billion which were subsequently realigned to fund different basic services.”
READ: House funnels P51.8B budget ‘insertion’ to health, agri, education
Suarez said their questions on the utilization of the previous annual budget, including the undeclared savings and unaccounted expenses, were still unanswered.
The DBM also “remains aloof on the call of the Congress to answer inquiries pursuant to its oversight functions,” he added, noting that they are “curious by this exhibited disinterest by the DBM.”
Instead of being cooperative, Suarez’s group said the DBM “becomes a hindrance to the supposed transparency of the budget and the government.”
Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. earlier said the 2019 expenditure program was pork-free, contrary to claims of Senator Panfilo Lacson. But he also said the delay in its approval was due to the “very unusual” requests by President Rodrigo Duterte and certain Cabinet members. /kga
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House Resolution No. 2307 11-21-18-page-001
House Resolution No. 2307 11-21-18-page-002