Deadlock on 2018 budget unlikely, says Budget chief Diokno

A deadlock in the 2018 budget of the Philippines is unlikely amid the disagreements of the House of Representatives and the Senate regarding the allocation for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Budget Secretary Benjamin M. Diokno said Thursday.

"I don't think it will happen," Diokno told reporters on the sidelines of the Arangkada Philippines Forum 2017 in Pasay City.

He was asked regarding the possibility of a deadlock in the 2018 budget, considering conflicting views of the House and the Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon on Wednesday warned that a deadlock could happen should the House insist on a P1,000 funding for the CHR.

"At this time I'm not worried about what's going to happen. I'll just look at what will come out of the third chamber," Diokno said.

"Let's not speculate on what's going to happen. This is a political process. We have done our job, we have submitted to them the budget, so it's up to them," he added.

According to Diokno, the P1,000 budget approved by the House could be lawmakers "sending a message" to the agency.

"This has happened in the past. Sometimes it's just a matter of sending a message to the agency," he said.

Should the House push the P1,000 budget, Diokno said this could be augmented by other government agencies.

"Under the Constitution, each branch of government -- the executive, the Senate or the House, plus the constitutional commissions -- they can augment. So as long as there is a budget there it will be augmented," he said. — RSJ, GMA News