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Wednesday, October 29, 2008
PB says 'nothing wrong' with P25-M recall budget
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Provincial Board of Pampanga still considers appropriating P25 million for the recall election against Governor Eddie Panlilio should the Commission on Elections (Comelec) finds merit in the recall petition.
Vice Governor Joseller "Yeng" Guiao said the legislative body finds "nothing wrong" with the appropriation since they are still waiting for the results of the Comelec en banc proceedings on the recall petition filed against Panlilio by the Kapanalig at Kambilan ning Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan).
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The PB members sitting as an en banc body filed Ordinance 294, which seeks to allot P25 million from the Provincial Government's general fund for the recall election, days after endorsing the recall petition filed by Kambilan on October 15.
The proposed ordinance was filed after Comelec Chairman Jose Melo stated that the poll body has no fund for the recall election.
"We are not closing the talks on the 25 million recall budget. What we agreed on was that the PB would wait for Comelec's decision if the petition is meritorious," Guiao said.
He added that the Comelec could source the fund from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Melo recently said although he has not studied it yet, the Provincial Government may be permitted to appropriate fund for the recall election of Panlilio. But such appropriation might be vetoed by the governor, he added.
However, it was learned from the Comelec law department that such is not allowed under existing rules.
In a memorandum from the Comelec Law Department dated October 21, to secure funds from local government units (LGUs) and private sources would, in effect, undermine the independence of the poll body.
"And in both instances, receiving funds from LGUs and private sources to finance the holding of elections would make this Commission susceptible to outside influences and political pressure," the memorandum said.
The memorandum said the Comelec, as a matter of practice, could source funds from the DBM.
However, the Comelec said asking for the DBM for funds might be a "double-edged sword."
"Recourse to the DBM might give the impression that since it is under the Office of the President, government funds are being used for the recall of those not politically aligned (with the administration). Ultimately, the image of the Commission as an independent constitutional body might suffer," the memorandum stated. (IOF of Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod. (October 29, 2008 issue)
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