Senator Koko Pimentel III, chair of the Senate Trade and Commerce Committee urged for the passage of the 2019 national budget as he thumbed down proposals to reenact last year’s budget.
In a radio interview on Monday, Pimentel emphasized that the government’s budget should not be held hostage by special interests. He added that a reenacted budget would both negatively impact government programs and the conduct of the midterm national elections in May.
“Reenacting last year’s budget would mean Comelec would not be able to source funds for this.”
“Kung may agenda, huwag i-hostage ang national budget. Importante ang 2019 kaya ang panawagan ng Executive [Department], ipasa. ‘Wag reenacted budget,” said the senator from Mindanao.
Pimentel said that aside from its negative effects on the economy, a reenacted budget would compromise the ability of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to hold the May midterm elections.
According to Pimentel, reenacting the 2018 budget would preclude the Comelec from compensating teachers tapped to serve as board of election inspectors.
“Since the budget for the honoraria of teachers is not included in the 2018 budget, reenacting last year’s budget would mean Comelec would not be able to source funds for this,” explained the lawyer.
“The bottom-line is we need the 2019 budget passed. This is a serious matter that demands immediate action. Our public school teachers deserve to be compensated for working during the elections. To let them work without pay would be heartless, unjust, and unfair,” added Pimentel.
“Our public school teachers deserve to be compensated for working during the elections.”
Earlier, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea stated that a reenacted budget would be “disastrous” for the economy.
“I am sure Senate President Sotto would not want a reenacted budget as it will have a bad effect on our economy. He has been working hard against a reenacted budget. We are one against a reenacted budget,” said Medialdea.
Meanwhile, Pimentel took the opportunity to allay fears that billions of pesos in congressional insertions had been included in the 2019 budget, saying what is crucial is that legislators are not allowed to determine the contractors of the projects, adding that he personally was not interested in infrastructure projects.
“Hindi ako mahilig sa infra. Ang babantayan natin ‘wag ma-determine ng mambabatas ang contractor na gagawa ng project,” stressed the legislator.
