MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile views as a “system of control” a provision in the 2012 General Appropriation Act that will allow the Department of Budget to take over the savings of judicial, legislative, and constitutional bodies.
Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
“We operate on a principle of separation of powers. People allocated powers to three departments of government. We’re equal, independent and coordinate. None should control the other,” Enrile said during the hearing of the Senate finance committee on Wednesday.
“What I’m saying, as far as I’m concerned and I’m not binding the Senate, as far I’m concerned the way I see this there’s a system of control that is unwarranted,” Enrile said.
The Senate leader was referring to the miscellaneous personnel benefit fund (MPBF) intended for unfilled positions in government agencies but would only be automatically released once the positions were filled up.
Enrile raised his observation during the budget hearing of the judiciary, which openly opposed the transfer of P1.985 billion to the MPBF in 2012.
Enrile said the MPBF would become a “huge pork barrel” if not utilized, the same apprehension raised by Senator Joker Arroyo.
“Let’s realistic about it, at the end of the year, if MPBF is not used, then it becomes savings? And whose savings will it be? Savings of the Supreme Court, savings of Congress or savings of the executive?” he asked.
“This is going to a be huge pork bark barrel,” he said, “I will support Malacanang on various issues but I think Congress will have to put its foot down …The executive proposes it [budget] but Congress will dispose it and we have to follow the Constitution.”
Enrile also questioned the decreasing budget of the judiciary when the Constitution clearly provides that the budget of the judiciary should not be reduced.
From P14.6 billion in 2010, the budget of the judiciary was reduced to P14.2 billion in 2011 and P13.3 billion for 2012.
“It’s very clear in the Constitution, the judiciary shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Appropriations to the judiciary may not be reduced. There could be no better language than that,” said Enrile.