Makabayan continues watch after House OK’d 2024 budget; realignments unclear
MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc have vowed that they will still monitor developments in the proposed 2024 national budget even after the House passed it on the third reading, saying that they are not yet entirely sure if amendments would be made in the small committee discussions.
Makabayan, in a press briefing on Friday, said that plans to reallocate the confidential funds (CF) of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Department of Education (DepEd), and other civilian agencies to defense-oriented offices are not yet final unless the small committee releases its report.
House Bill No. 8980, which contains the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), was approved on the third and final reading last Wednesday, but a small committee was assigned to take up and resolve individual amendments that were not discussed on the floor.
“With the creation of a small committee, only they would get to decide what amendments would be pushed through during the bicameral conference committee hearings and what can be incorporated in the final version of the national budget,” Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel said in Filipino.
“The sentiments of the Makabayan coalition is that such a process would not be as transparent compared to if discussions on the amendments were held at the plenary level,” he added.
ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said this is enough reason for the Makabayan to monitor the budget even after the House’s passage.
“Kaya talagang tayo ay magbabantay hanggang doon sa last minute ng bicam hanggang sa mai-submit ito sa Presidente,” she noted.
Before the budget bill was passed on third reading, the Majority moved to assign the following as members of the small committee:
- Appropriations chairperson and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co
- Senior Vice Chairperson and Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo
- Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe
- Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan
Castro gave the same sentiments, saying they are unsure if the OVP and DepEd’s CF would be reduced and realigned to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other agencies in safeguarding the West Philippine Sea (PCG).
“So what would happen now is that the small committee would be the one to bring our amendments or the representatives’ amendments to the bicam, but we don’t know what among those amendments would be carried. Like what Cong. Raoul said earlier, these confidential funds are not yet off the hook since there is still no black and white in terms of amendments,” she added.
On Wednesday, as plenary debates were ongoing on the proposed 2024 national budget, Co confirmed that they are looking at OVP and DepEd’s CF as possible funding sources for the PCG and other agencies monitoring the situation at the WPS.
According to Co, House leaders have decided that the country’s defense posture in the WPS is of paramount importance.
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These amendments, however, were not tackled on the floor and would be discussed instead by the small committee.
Manuel and Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas are worried that amendments to put more budget on social services might not be prioritized.
“What happens is that only a few members of Congress would talk and approve the amendments that they think are okay, then the good amendments we are pushing for — substantially higher budget for education, restoring funding for health, socialized housing — there is no assurance if the small committee would talk about that,” Manuel explained.
“If the budget amendments would not be transparent, then why did we hold deliberations in the first place right? We will keep watch on the amendments and push for prioritization of the welfare of the Filipino people over secret allocations that only serve the interests of those in power,” Brosas added.
The CFs lodged with OVP and DepEd — both under the watch of Vice President Sara Duterte — had been scrutinized as lawmakers found it unnatural for civilian agencies to ask for funds used for surveillance and covert activities.
For the 2024 budget, OVP asked for a CF worth P500 million, while DepEd is seeking P150 million.
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