Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (Photo by JOAN BONDOC / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
While Congress has yet to finalize the 2018 national budget, Malacañang expressed qualms on Thursday over the Senate’s realignment of the drug war budget of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to housing programs for military and police personnel.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the Senate’s move would have an unnecessary effect in President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign.
“Well obviously, the President needs to fund his pet undertakings and the drug war… is one of his undertakings and it will have an uncalled for effect if the President does not have funding if he cannot fund his war on drugs,” Roque said.
The spokesperson, however, pointed out that the move was not yet final as the budget has yet to undergo deliberations before the bicameral committee.
“Well that’s not final yet, that is subject of bicameral conference and I’m sure the PNP will be asked for its opinion about this development because the Senate has just approved it a day before yesterday,” he said.
READ: Senate realigns funds for anti-drug war to housing for troops, cops
Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on finance, said on Wednesday the chamber decided to put the P900-million budget for the Oplan Double Barrel and Masa Masid Program to housing programs for uniformed personnel.
However, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, in a separate interview, said that they will bring back the fund to the PNP budget. /jpv