UPDATE: Duterte signs 2019 budget, vetoes P95.3B in ‘unprioritized’ projects
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Mon, 15 Apr 2019 14:02:06 +0000
AFTER months of the government operating on a reenacted budget, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law the 2019 General Appropriations Act, but vetoed provisions on P95.3 billion worth of programs and projects for not being part of the Chief Executive’s priorities, a Palace official said on Monday.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Duterte signed the much-delayed P3.757-trillion national budget for this year on Monday.
“Yes. (It was) signed,” Medialdea told The Manila Times in a text message when asked if Duterte has signed the 2019 budget.
“The President, among others, vetoed P95.3 billion items of appropriations in the Details of DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) Programs/Projects, which are not within the programmed priorities,” he said.
The Senate had recommended that Duterte veto the P75-billion budget for specific projects and programs of the Local Infrastructure Program, funded through realignments made by the House of Representatives after both chambers ratified the Bicameral Conference Committee report.
Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd had said they were unconstitutional and signed the bill with “strong reservations.”
Government has been running on a reenacted 2018 budget since January.
Duterte had threatened to veto the entire budget if it would turn out to be problematic.
“The budget has just been submitted. I have to sign it once I return. I am still studying the budget (which was submitted to the) Office of the President. The Office of the President is not the budget,” the President said.
“So, ang legal ko magbasa uli. Ngayon, pagka talagang tagilid ’yan (My legal team is reading it. Now, if it is problematic), I will outright veto the entire budget,” he added.
The passage of the spending bill was hampered by the mudslinging among lawmakers and between some House members and the budget department.
A reenacted budget until April will bring down full-year economic growth to 6.1 from 6.3 percent, according to the National Economic and Development Authority.
Economic growth is expected to slow down to 4.9 from 5.1 percent if the budget is enacted in August and to 4.2 from 4.9 percent if no new spending bill would be passed this year. CATHERINE S. VALENTE
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