Senate panel OKs Office of the President’s budget sans question

By: Maila Ager - 11 years ago

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate finance committee approved on Tuesday the proposed P2.82 billion budget of the Office of the President for 2014 without question.

It was Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa Jr. who presented to the committee headed by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero the proposed budget of the OP next year, which was P89 million or 3 percent higher than this year’s budget of the agency.

The hearing, which started at around 9 a.m. lasted for only about 10 minutes.

“With courtesy to the Office of the President , the chair has no questions other than a reminder – we’ve done this with other agencies as well – to request the agency concerned to take the COA (Commission on Audit) recommendations and observations seriously in so far as their findings are concerned,” Escudero said after Ochoa’s presentation.

“Para lahat ng findings matuldukan. Kung may dinis-allow, disagree kayo, question-in nyo sa korte. Kung may nag cash advance, hindi nya ni-liquidate, kasuhan nyo na pero hindi pwedeng year in and out yung findings at observations pare-pareho na lamang,” he said.

Escudero said he was informed for instance that the cash advances under the OP were “relatively high” but said he was also informed that this was a “carryover from the previous administration.”

“Pano yun? Pag wala na yung dating President wala na rin?” the senator asked.

Escudero then directed the OP to sit down with the COA to address the issue.

“We will comply you honor,” Ochoa said.

“There being no member to raise questions of the Office of the President and given the courtesies by tradition given to the Office of the President during the budget deliberations, the chair hereby recommends the approval of the budget of the Office of the President and submit it to plenary for deliberations and if at all, amendments,” Escudero said.

Escudero was the only senator present during the hearing.