Arroyo to receive P835-B ‘pork barrel’ in 2009 budget - UNO

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo is set to receive a P835.97-billion “pork barrel” under the proposed 2009 budget, the United Opposition (UNO) said Monday. Citing a study by the non-government organization Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI), UNO president and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said the Special Purpose Fund for President Arroyo and the unprogrammed funds alone total to P835.97 billion. Binay said the SPF totals to P760 billion or 56 percent of the 2009 budget and contains lump sum funds which are subject to the discretion of the president. The unprogrammed funds, meanwhile, totaled P75.97 billion. “There are provisions in the budget that give Mrs. Arroyo a free hand in the release of billions of pesos in taxpayers’ money. And given the administration’s track record of using government funds for political purposes, these should be scrutinized,” Binay said. Quoting ABI, Binay said the budget submitted to Congress did not contain details on how the funds will be disbursed and for what purpose. “Definitely, when you have such an amount to be disbursed at the president’s discretion, there will be abuse and this was shown in the 2004 elections and thereafter,” he said, adding that other “pork items” for the President may have also been inserted in the budgets of line departments for special projects. “Rather than allot a huge amount for the discretion of the president, government should increase the allocations for health, education and agriculture. Spending for agriculture is crucial considering the need to ensure the country’s food security,” Binay said. Binay accused the Arroyo administration of using the food issue to justify the release of pork barrel funds, citing reports that Malacanang has released P2.6 billion in pork barrel funds to congressmen and senators for farm-to-market road projects. He also said that the release of a P3-billion fund to the district of presidential son, Dato Arroyo, during his 34th birthday is a clear case of abuse of authority. The fund was reportedly earmarked for reforestration, irrigation, infrastructure and the building of a biomass power facility. “Some congressmen are more blessed than others, it seems. Government money should be used wisely and with the greater good in mind. The P3 billion that Mrs. Arroyo gave as a birthday gift to her son could help other people who are going hungry, or being displaced by armed conflict. It definitely will help the poor soldier who is fighting in Mindanao,” Binay said. - GMANews.TV