Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Lack of sponsor delays action on P276M outlay
The special session set yesterday to tackle the P276.3-million second supplemental budget went nowhere fast.
The session lasted only for about 10 minutes.
The Provincial Board (PB) had to adjourn, as PB Member Gabriel Luis Quisumbing, who chairs the budget committee, refused to sponsor the appropriation ordinance. He said he has yet to examine it.
The second supplemental budget includes the amount for the Capitol workers’ collective negotiation agreement bonus and other benefits, as well as financial aid for barangays and towns.
Quisumbing would have wanted his vice chairman, PB Member Victor Maambong, to sponsor the ordinance, but Maambong came in just after the session was declared adjourned.
Quisumbing explained that he had no time to examine the proposed budget, as it was only referred to his committee last Monday, during the regular session.
“I was not aware that it was certified urgent by the governor. But we have to be absolutely conscientious when it comes to the taxpayers’ money. I did not sponsor it not because I’m against the budget, but I want it to go through its normal due process. We have not even conducted budget hearings on this,” Quisumbing explained in an interview.
He added he would have wanted Maambong to sponsor it because in last Monday’s session, Maam-bong was the one who moved for the supplemental budget’s approval on first, second and final reading.
Quisumbing left early during last Monday’s session, because he was not feeling well.
In a separate interview, Maambong said that Quisumbing should be the one to sponsor it he is the chairman of the committee.
Maambong explained that had Quisumbing officially endorsed it to him last Monday, it would also be official on his part to sponsor it during the special session.
“I came here without the thought that I would be the sponsor. I’m ready but I will never step on his toes. All I can say is, he should take a definite stand, for or against the budget, or we can even take the middle ground by saying I am in favor (of the budget) but not in favor of these (particular) items,” Maambong said.
Quisumbing will convene his committee today to get the members’ opinions on the proposed second supplemental budget, whether they think budget hearings are still needed and if they have proposed amendments.
“For all we know, maybe we will agree to pass the budget en toto,” he said.
Quisumbing assured the budget will be discussed during the out-of-town session on Monday and by that time, they will have a committee report. (MBG)
(October 19, 2005 issue)
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