House debates on P1.8-T 2012 national budget today

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives is scheduled to debate today on President Aquino’s proposed P1.8-trillion budget for 2012.                                                       

 The initial discussions will focus on the macro-economic assumptions used by the administration in putting together the budget proposal.

Economic managers led by Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima will answer questions from lawmakers.

Opposition lawmakers led by Minority Leader Edcel Lagman are expected to participate in the plenary debates.

They boycotted hearings in the appropriations committee to protest the delay of release of their pork barrel funds. Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said the House would try to approve the budget on second and third reading before the first congressional recess on Oct. 14 so it could send it to the Senate.

“That means that we will have enough time to finally approve it before the end of the year,” he said.

Last year, Congress passed the national budget before yearend, the first time it was passed early in 11 years.                                                             

 Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile proposed that Congress impound funds that have not been used by state agencies.

“This will further enhance accountability and transparency in the use of public funds,” he said.

He proposed that the House appropriations committee and the Senate finance committee conduct an annual mid-year review of the use of funds and impound those that have not been used to prevent their diversion.

“By preventing executive agencies from dipping their hands into the cookie jar, we will be able to ensure that the money intended to build farm-to-market roads will be used to build farm-to-market roads,” he said.

The Freedom from Debt Coalition, meanwhile, urged Congress to divert some P8 billion in payments on questionable loans to vital social services.

“Currently, nine cases of illegitimate debts are up for payment this year in the amount of P8 billion,” the group said.