Palace: Funds for lawmakers' projects in 2021 budget subject to Duterte approval

Funding for lawmakers' projects  which found their way into the P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021 but which were a part of the Executive Branch's initial budget proposal will be subject to President Rodrigo Duterte's approval.

“As has been repeatedly highlighted in previous years, the new items introduced by Congress in this [General Appropriations] Act have corresponding effects in the respective outputs and outcomes of the agencies concerned," Duterte said in his budget message.

"Therefore, these new budgetary items shall be subject to the National Government's cash programming, the observance of prudent and responsible fiscal management, applicable rules and procedures during budget execution, and approval by the President based on the programmed priorities of the government,” he added.

"The [Department of Budget Management] shall inform the agencies of such new budgetary items and require the submission of the revised agency performance targets, among other supporting documents as may be applicable,” Duterte said.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the projects proposed by the members of Congress were not vetoed by Duterte.

“Hindi naman po na veto. Iyong new budgetary items po will be subject to prudent and responsible fiscal policy and on the approval of the President based on program priorities of the government,” Roque said.

Roque made the announcement a day after Duterte signed the General Appropriations Act into law.

He said Duterte also vetoed the GAA provisions authorizing agencies to use their income. 

Roque said the measure was unconstitutional.

“In accordance sa kanyang Constitutional mandate na dapat tapat na maipatupad ang batas, pinag-aralan ng Punong Ehekutibo ang mga probisyon ng national budget at sinubject sa direct veto ang mga kontra sa ating Saligang Batas,” Roque said.

Roque said that the income of agencies should go to the General Fund of the national government, unless otherwise authorized by a separate substantive law.

“Lahat po ng income ng mga ahensiya ay dapat mapunta sa National Treasury. Ang paggastos rito ay dapat sang ayon sa national budget,” Roque added.

Roque said that such action was consistent with the administration’s policy of ensuring that there would be no duplication of budget allocation for government projects. -NB, GMA News