Former senator Franklin Drilon
MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Franklin Drilon defended the increase in the proposed 2024 national budget’s unprogrammed funds.
“I find no constitutional violation in the increase of funding for unprogrammed funds. It becomes a non-issue as long as they adhere to the conditions outlined for releasing the funds,” said Drilon in a statement issued on Friday.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III earlier flagged the bicameral conference committee’s decision to add a P450 billion to the unprogrammed appropriations of the 2024 budget, which he said is unconstitutional.
With this supposed hike, Pimentel said the national fund for next year would be running under a P6 trillion appropriation.
Drilon, who used to chair the Senate committee on finance, explained that unprogrammed funds are only standby appropriations that are are distinct from the approved fiscal program of the national government.
“Transactions related to these funds are recorded when they become actual, contingent upon compliance with conditions specified in the Special Provisions of the unprogrammed appropriations in the General Appropriations Act,” he said.
Drilon instead asked the public to focus its attention on the government’s transparent release of funds.
“When considering excess funds, it should encompass the entirety of the government’s revenue collection rather than being limited to specific taxes, such as the Sin Tax,” he added.
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