Defending P152-M CIF realignment in bicam, senate
By Nidz Godino
“Dahil Senado ang nag-tapyas ng confidential funds, obviously ipaglalaban ‘yan ng nag-approve o nagdagdag. ..so doon pag-uusapan ano ba ang justification,”Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Senate is expected to justify its realignment of at least P152 million worth of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) for various government agencies during bicameral conference committee meeting on the proposed 2023 national budget.
Gatchalian was asked how Senate could convince bicam panel on proposed realignment.
Earlier Senate approved realignment of P152M from CIF to several agencies’ maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).
As Senate and House of Representatives have different versions of the proposed P5 trillion-plus national budget for next year, Gatchalian said confidential fund realignment has to be justified.
Since Senate slashed confidential funds, obviously those who approved or added will fight for that.
“Pangalawa, saan kukunin ang pondo? Dahil tinapyasan, inilagay na sa ibang programa, hindi mo naman pwedeng tanggalin ‘yung pondo sa ibang programa dahil kawawa naman ‘yung ibang programa,” he stressed.
The confidential funds that were realigned to MOOE as adopted by the Senate are:
- P100 million from the Department of Education
- P5 million in the Department of Foreign Affairs
- P19.2 million in the Department of Justice
- P2 million in the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
- P6 million in other executive offices
- P20 million in Office of the Ombudsman
During first day of bicameral conference meeting to reconcile versions of the national spending plan, Senate finance committee chairman Sonny Angara said realignment of confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) would remain point of contention, even as he expressed confidence that everything would be resolved.Both Senate and House contingents designated and authorized Angara and House appropriations committee chairman Elizaldy Co to discuss and reconcile differing provisions.
Angara said Congress is expected to come up with reconciled version of 2023 budget bill this coming week.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, on the other hand, expects bicameral conference committee would keep revisions made by Senate minority. She was confident that Angara would push for their amendments in the final version of the 2023 budget.
ISKUP! 