Senate President Blas Ople has assured President Estrada the Senate will not oppose a presidential veto on a special provision in the P629-billion budget for this year which requires agencies to consult with congressmen in the implementation of infrastructure projects.
"We believe the special provision violates the constitutional separation of powers between the legislative and the executive, and therefore should be deemed invalid," Ople said.
He said the provision in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2000 was suggested by the House panel in the bicameral conference committee, and that the Senate panel agreed to the provision to avoid further delay.
"A delay in the deliberation of the budget would mean delay in the implementation of the anti-poverty programs of the administration," he said.
Ople reiterated, however, that the Senate would not be overriding a possible presidential veto, which would require a two-thirds vote of senators to be overturned.
The President earlier said requiring the concurrence of congressmen before projects can be implemented in their districts amounts to encroachment on executive functions.
Sen. Francisco Tatad said the controversial provision would in effect hold hostage the administration's programs, and place them at the mercy of the House of Representatives.
"It would also alter the very concept of the presidential form of government," Tatad said.
In a related development, Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. (Lakas, Surigao del Sur) has filed a bill calling for a revision of the present system of preparing the national budget.
In House Bill 1238, Pichay proposed that expenditures for infrastructure and other capital outlay be itemized, instead of having the President submit a budget in lump sum appropriations.
The opposition lawmaker said the proposal would promote transparency in certain transactions and activities, noting that the government spends nearly P2 billion a day.
"The numbers are staggering, but where does all the money really go?" he asked. "The budget only indicates lump sums for planned expenditures. It is simply a tome of numbers that hides too much and shows too little."
Pichay pointed out that line-item budgeting would reduce fund wastage, as well as graft and corruption.
Five other opposition congressmen -- Reps. Juan Miguel Zubiri (Bukidnon), Rolando Andaya Jr. (Camarines Sur), Robert Ace Barbers (Surigao del Norte), Michael Defensor (Quezon City) and Federico Sandoval (Navotas-Malabon) -- have expressed support for Pichay's bill.
They said that if Malacañang, which is the proponent of the annual budget, is not hiding anything, "it should not be afraid of line item budgeting."
Former senator and now Rep. Ernesto Herrera (LAMP, Bohol) appealed to businessmen close to the President to follow taipan Lucio Tan's example and not take advantage of friendship in the payment of correct taxes.
"Mr. Tan has shown that his closeness to the President compels him to be even more responsible in settling his tax obligations," Herrera said.
Based on the recent collection data of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the beer and tobacco magnate paid a total P10.3 billion in excise taxes.
The BIR also reported that it has exceeded its collection target for January.
"The fact that Mr. Tan's companies paid the largest amount ever of excise levies is a step forward toward erasing public perception that the taipan is a tax evader and an Estrada crony," Herrera said.
The government under the previous administration had filed a P26-billion tax evasion case against Tan. A lower court has since dismissed the complaint.
Herrera likewise commended BIR chief Dakila Fonacier and his collection agents for exceeding their January target.
"We hope that this sterling performance will continue in the months to come," the lawmaker said.
The BIR has a collection target of P398 billion for this year. Along with the Bureau of Customs, the agency has the task of collecting revenues to support the annual budget.