Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The Senate has approved in the plenary the proposed P217 million budget of Vice President Jejomar Binay’s office for 2014 despite his absence.
The original budget proposal was P417 million but the Vice President himself requested that the P200 million from that proposal be cut amid perception that the amount was “pork barrel”.
No senator posed any objection when Binay’s own daughter, neophyte Senator Nancy Binay, moved for the approval of the budget on Thursday.
At the start of the proceeding though, Senate President Franklin Drilon inquired if the chamber would approve the budget of offices, whose heads were not present.
“The father of Senator Nancy, Mr. President, is unfortunately not here,” said Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, chairman of the committee on finance.
“So may we know therefore from Senator Binay…What’s your pleasure because usually we don’t approve the budget if the head is not around…” Drilon said.
Responding to Drilon, Senator Binay said: “Mr. President, I think I have to move for the approval of the budget of the Office of the Vice President because I might not have a home to go to tonight because I’m still staying with the Vice President.”
“Under those circumstances, I think the approval of the budget is in order,” Drilon said.
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