MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has vetoed some provisions of the P4.5 trillion 2021 national budget or the General Appropriations Act (GAA) that were deemed unconstitutional, according to his spokesperson Harry Roque.
“Bilang bahagi ng kaniyang Constitutional mandate na lahat ng batas ay tapat na maipatupad, pinag-aralan ng punong ehekutibo ang mga probisyon ng ating pambansang budget,” Roque said in a virtual presser.
“Sinubject (ni President Duterte) sa direct veto ang mga probisyon kontra sa mga nakasaad sa ating Saligang Batas,” the Palace spokesperson added.
Roque furthered that President Duterte vetoed the provision allowing agencies to directly use their income and, as a general rule, all income of agencies shall accrue to the General Fund of the National Government, unless otherwise authorized by a separate substantive law.
Duterte also ordered the efficient use of public funds, including the utilization of infrastructure-related expenses, implementation of financial assistance to local government units (LGUs), implementation of rice subsidy, and the prompt release and utilization of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund.
Duterte also tasked the need to observe prevailing laws, policies, and regulations in relation to procurement-related provisions, distribution of allowances and benefits, the use of the Quick Response Fund, identifying program beneficiaries, establishing evacuation centers, implementing service contracting, and funding foreign-assisted projects among others.
President Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11518 to boost the administration’s efforts to effectively respond to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide critical measures to aid the economic and social sectors.
One of the most important allocations in the 2021 national budget is the P72.5 billion for the purchase of storage, transportation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
Duterte also assured the public that the administration would ensure the efficient use of resources to help overcome the debilitating effects of the pandemic on public health and the economy./PN
