PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, April 11, floated the possibility that he would veto the entire 2019 general appropriations bill, following the controversial insertions made by some lawmakers.
Duterte made the pronouncement, as he admitted that he is still reviewing the proposed national spending plan for this year because he has to look into the allegedly inserted pork barrel funds in the budget bill.
The President said he would not hesitate to wield his veto power, if he sees irregularities in the proposed 2019 General Appropriations Act.
"Kita mo 'yung budget. Ang budget, kaka-submit lang. I have to sign it pagbalik ko pa (Look at the budget. It has been submitted just recently. I have to sign it when I return to country from my visit to China)," he said during the campaign sortie of his political party in Bacolod City.
"Ngayon, 'pag talagang tagilid iyan, I will outright veto the entire budget. Eh hindi magkasundo 'yung Congress pati ang Senado. Pati 'yung mga insertions diyan, titignan ko. Kapag tagilid talaga, I will not hesitate to veto the entire budget. Eh di pasensya tayong lahat," he added.
(If it's unacceptable, I will outright veto the entire budget. The House of Representatives and the Senate could not reconcile their differences. I will look into the insertions there. If it's unacceptable, I will not hesitate to veto the entire budget. Sorry but that's what will happen.)
The deliberations in the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019 have long been delayed because of the squabble between the senators and congressmen due to alleged insertions.
After months of budget impasse, the Senate and the House of Representatives agreed to settle their differences and finally transmitted the proposed budget spending to Duterte on March 26.
Duterte was initially scheduled to lead the ceremonial signing of the proposed 2019 budget on April 15.
But in a press briefing held earlier Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the signing would likely push through after Holy Week.
The National Government has been running on a reenacted 2018 budget since January this year.
Duterte's economic team earlier warned that the country's economic growth would slow down, if a reenacted budget is implemented all throughout the year. (SunStar Philippines)