2 senators defend Congress power of the purse

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines – Two senators on Wednesday asserted the power of Congress over the purse amid questions on the constitutionality of the legislators’ priority development assistance fund (PDAF).

“Congress, under the Constitution, has the ‘power of the purse.’ In fact, the Constitution provides that no money shall be paid out of the national treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation provided for by law,’” Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said in a text message to reporters.

“I admit that there have been abuses committed by some lawmakers and, because of this, I agree with calls to abolish the pork barrel in order to regain the people’s trust in our institutions.”

“However, Congress should be the one, by law, that should abolish it or, at the very least, establish strict guidelines on use and transparency…not declaring it unconstitutional,” he said.

Escudero was reacting to questions raised at the start of the oral arguments on several petitions filed at the Supreme Court that challenged the legality of the PDAF also known as “pork barrel’ funds.

Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, a member of the opposition bloc, also defended the powers of Congress.

“They have completely forgotten that Congress holds the power of the purse. Bahala sila. I’ve given up mine to rid myself of the concerns,” Sotto said in a separate text message, referring to his decision to forego his PDAF.

Senate Pro Tempore Ralph Recto also maintained that the PDAF was constitutional.

“I think it is constitutional. What is being questioned, I suppose is how it is being implemented and possible special or general provisions in the budget. Yan ang pagkakaintindi sa mga nabasa ko sa pahayagan,” Recto told reporters at the Senate.

But the senator welcomed that this issue was being deliberated at the Supreme Court, saying it would not only enlighten everyone but it would also define the powers of the legislative and the executive branches.

“So this is healthy for all of us,” he said as he expressed hopes though that the court would decide on the matter before Congress approves the proposed 2014 national budget.

Congress though, he said, could decide on whether or not to abolish the PDAF even without waiting for the SC decision.

Asked then if Congress could just simply remove the pork barrel funds in the General Appropriations Act, Recto said:  “There is nothing simple in this issue.”

“It will all be discussed during the debates on the floor. Be patient…” the senator said of the pending measures in the Senate, calling for the abolition of the PDAF.