Marcos vetoes three items in 2023 national budget

FILE PHOTO: Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the “APEC Leaders’ Informal Dialogue with Guests” event during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bangkok on November 18, 2022. (Photo by ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA / POOL / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vetoed three provisions in the P5.268-trillion national budget law for 2023, saying those are not related to any newly approved appropriations and could amend substantive laws.

Among those rejected is DepEd-Office of the Secretary (OSEC), Special Provision No. 4, “Revolving Fund of DepEd TV,” Volume I-A, Page 197, with the President noting there is no law authorizing DepEd to establish a revolving fund for the purpose.

“Moreover, the DepEd TV is not a business-type activity of the DepEd, which may be considered within the contemplation of the General Provision on Revolving Funds in the FY 2023 GAA, which permits the establishment of a revolving fund from receipts derived from business-type activities,” he said in his veto message released Wednesday.

DepEd TV, the agency’s platform for multimedia classes, has broadcast tips about COVID-19 to keep students informed on the safety protocols amid the pandemic.

The President also vetoed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), Special Provision No. 1, “Use of Income,” Volume 1-A, Page 1157.

He reasoned that the subject income already forms part of the revenue and financing sources of the 2023 National Expenditure Program.

“Relatedly, Section 65 of Presidential Decree No. 1445 (Government Auditing Code of the Philippines), as reiterated in Section 44, Chapter 5, Book VI of Executive Order No. 292, series 1987 (Administrative Code of 1987), provides that unless otherwise specifically provided by law, income accruing to the agencies by virtue of the provisions of the law, orders and regulations shall be deposited in the National Treasury or in any duly authorized government depository and shall accrue to the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund of the government,” the President said.

“Further, Section 66 of PD No. 1445 and Section 45, Chapter 5, Book VI of EO No. 292 prescribe that receipts shall be recorded as income of Special, Fiduciary or Trust Funds or Funds other than the General Fund only when authorized by law,” Marcos added.

He also noted that the NLRC is not granted authority to use its income under existing laws.

The President also vetoed the proviso “in no case shall the appropriations be utilized to change the tourism campaign slogan” under DOT-OSEC, Special Provision No. 4, “Branding Campaign Program,” Volume I-B, page 313, inasmuch as it intends to limit the exercise of the functions of the Executive Branch in implementing RA No. 9593 (The Tourism Act of 2009).

He explained that under RA No. 9593, the DOT is mandated to be the primary planning, programming, coordinating, implementing and regulatory government agency in the development and promotion of the tourism industry, both domestically and globally.

Marcos said the agency is tasked to promote tourism as an engine of socioeconomic and cultural growth in the country.

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