National budget to undergo scrutiny

The chair of the House appropriations committee on Tuesday assured the public the proposed P3-trillion 2016 national budget would undergo strict scrutiny in the panel amid allegations it contains hidden pork barrel and lump sums and a questionable definition of “savings.”

Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab said his committee would ensure that the 2016 general appropriations bill would follow the law and jurisprudence.

“We will take this up when we deliberate the proposed budget in the committee level and in the plenary,” he said in a text message.

“We wish to assure [the public] the budget will be passed in accordance with existing rules, law and jurisprudence on the matter.”

Ungab also welcomed the selection of Sen. Loren Legarda as chair of the Senate finance committee replacing Sen. Francis Escudero.

Both Senate and House panels work together to pass the budget.

“We welcome Senator Legarda as the new Senate finance committee chair, being a worthy and suitable replacement for Senator Escudero,” Ungab said.

“She can expect our cooperation in achieving our aim of passing the general appropriations bill on time and in accordance with the law, rules and Supreme Court rulings on the matter,” he added.

Last week, lawmakers in the minority raised questions about the Department of Budget and Management’s definition of “savings” in the budget—or the 2016 National Expenditure Program—noting that the language used would allow the same practices as the discredited Disbursement Acceleration Program which the Supreme Court ruled was unconstitutional last year.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, however, said the budget was “pork-free” and its definition of savings was virtually the same as in the 2015 budget law.