Minority Members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday night delivered their Turno en Contra on House Bill 8980 or the 2024 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan reasserted the Congress’ power of the purse, citing the 2009 Policy Note of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) that considered “the [budget ]process (as) supposed to embody the relationship between the branches of government in planning, coordinating, and prioritizing the spending of resources while checking others’ powers.”
Rep. Libanan implored his peers to stay true to the Constitution that the power of the purse belongs exclusively to the legislature, and the power of oversight is a legitimate tool to ensure accountability from the different government agencies. He outlined the points to be considered in finalizing the budget, which include: 1) rising prices of basic commodities and utilities; 2) 20 to 30 percent of tertiary education entrants are poor; 3) the country and the economy must be more climate-resilient; 5) classroom shortage of 159,000; 6) continuing gaps in infrastructure; 7) need for proper compensation for teachers and health works; and 8) ensure access to quality and compassionate health care.
ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro stated that the House squandered its opportunity to help ensure that Filipinos live comfortable and peaceful lives, “Nasayang ang pagkakataon. Labis na pinanipis ang mga mayor na social assistance program para sa mahihirap at bulnerable.” She underscored that the following should be incorporated in the budget: 1) sufficient funding for programs that provide direct services to the people; 2) subsidies and social protection for the poor and vulnerable; 3) urgent budgetary and policy attention to ailing sectors and industries; 4) salary adjustment and regularization for government employees; 5) transparency and accountability over public funds; 6) strict controls and congressional oversight on confidential funds; and 7) lump sum funds should be kept to a minimum.
