Abad to ask Congress to clarify definition of savings | Inquirer News

Abad to ask Congress to clarify definition of savings

By: - NewsLab Lead / @MSantosINQ
/ 08:29 PM July 28, 2014

Sec. Butch Abad INQUIRER PHOTO/ ALANAH TORRALBA

MANILA, Philippines – Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said that they intend to file a draft joint resolution for Congress to clarify the definition of “savings” following the Supreme Court’s (SC) ruling against the Disbursement Allocation Program (DAP) and allow the funds to be utilized again.

“Three out of the four issues that were raised in the SC decision are not really constitutional questions but can be addressed by Congress and the executive working together,” Abad said in an ambush interview after President Benigno Aquino III expressed his intent during the State of the Nation Address (Sona).

Article continues after this advertisement

“Essentially we will address those statutory construction differences, for example the definition of savings, the timing of the declaration of savings, what unprogrammed appropriations mean, when can you effect the use of unprogrammed appropriations, what is the definition of item of appropriation,” he said.

FEATURED STORIES

The DAP, a savings-impounding program of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), was ruled as unconstitutional by the SC because it pooled together unspent funds and allocated it to projects not included in the budget even before the fiscal year was over.

Abad said that they intend to submit a draft resolution to the Speaker of the House of Representatives by Wednesday.

Article continues after this advertisement

“[The statutory construction differences] can be addressed by the joint resolution or a bill in Congress. It will not just clarify, but sharpen the definition so there will be no mistakes [about them],” Abad said.

Article continues after this advertisement

“[The joint resolution] can have a retroactive effect so the funds in 2014 can be utilized to continue what the development program started,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

Abad said that they expect the SC to take a long time before it decides on their motion for reconsideration and many projects are sitting idle.

RELATED STORIES

Article continues after this advertisement

Aquino: The Filipino is worth living for

Rain dampens Sona 2014 protest but rallyists continue

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Aquino extols DAP in opening his Sona

TAGS: Nation, News, Sona 2014

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.