Andaya: DBM generated P370-B 'pork' in 2017, more in 2018 | Inquirer News

Andaya: DBM generated P370-B ‘pork’ in 2017, more in 2018

By: - Reporter / @DYGalvezINQ
/ 03:08 PM February 05, 2019

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has generated some P370-billion “pork” in 2017 and more in 2018, which could be used to “sway the outcome” of the May polls, House appropriations panel chair Rolando Andaya Jr. claimed Tuesday.

Andaya said he has documents to show that the DBM generated a total of P370 billion in savings in 2017, which is at the full disposal of Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokono.

“Documents in our possession show that for 2017, a total of P370 billion was generated in savings. This amount was at the full disposal of Secretary Diokno,” Andaya said in a statement.

Article continues after this advertisement

“We also know that the amount for 2018 savings is higher. More than enough to sway the outcome of the 2019 elections, if he wants to,” he added.

FEATURED STORIES

The congressional bicameral conference committee (bicam) earlier demanded that Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno submit a report on the total unreleased appropriations and unobligated allotments from 2018. The bicam said they need the statement “to pass the 2019 budget.”

Andaya said the request would not be granted because “that is where the DBM pork lies.”

Article continues after this advertisement

“The House conferees have demanded to see the lump-sum savings of the DBM for 2018. We knew from the beginning it would not be granted for that is where the DBM pork lies,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Bicam presses DBM for report on unreleased 2018 funds 

Article continues after this advertisement

However, Andaya earlier said that it would proceed with the approval of the 2019 spending bill even without the DBM’s report.

READ: Andaya relents, bicam to pass 2019 budget even without Diokno’s savings report

He said that the 2019 proposed budget would be ready for the President’s signature next week as the House aims to approve the bicameral conference report on the 2019 budget on Wednesday.

Article continues after this advertisement

Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on finance, said that the bicam agreed to ratify the 2019 budget on Friday. /ee/ac

READ: Bicam ‘breakthrough:’ 2019 budget to be ratified by Friday – Legarda 

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: 2019 budget, DBM

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.