Monday, September 08, 2008
Opposition wants 2009 budget scrutinized (4:15 p.m.)
MANILA -- The opposition on Monday called for a closer scrutiny of the proposed P1.4 trillion national budget for next year.
United Opposition (UNO) chairman and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said the public should scrutinize the budget because there are provisions that are "suspicious."
"There are provisions in the budget that give President Gloria Macapagal-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," he said.
He revealed that Malacaņang has allotted a "pork barrel" amounting to P835 billion in the proposed budget. (AH/Sunnex) |
