MANILA -- The P23.4-billion Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) in the proposed budget for 2012 may be restored to government agencies granted fiscal autonomy, a House leader said Tuesday.
In a text message, Deputy Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said that as per the advice of House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, proposed amendments which calls for the deletion of the MPBF provision will be approved.
"As far as those granted fiscal autonomy are concerned…I will move in the small committee handling the amendments that the appropriations for unfilled positions be restored to them with the express provision that such shall only be used for that specific purpose," Fariñas said.
The P23.4-billion MPBF was placed in the proposed 2012 budget to prevent appropriation of funds to positions that are yet to be occupied.
The Supreme Court (SC), one of those granted fiscal autonomy, has heavily showed its opposition to the MPBF.
In an ambush interview, SC spokesperson Midas Marquez said they will still have to wait for the General Appropriations Act to be signed into law by President Benigno Aquino III as the House budget bill may still pass through revisions from the Senate and the bicameral conference committee. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)