P79 billion in 2019 budget manipulated — Sotto

MANILA, Philippines — At least P79 billion worth of projects in the Congress-ratified 2019 national budget have been manipulated by some members of the House of Representatives, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said yesterday.

“We believe the P79 billion had not been discussed in the bicameral conference committee,” Sotto, speaking in Filipino, told dwIZ.

Sotto added that the Senate will not be part of a violation of the Constitution as he maintained that the bicameral conference committee report should not be altered.

Sotto also said Sen. Loren Legarda and the Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office are coordinating with their House counterparts.

The Senate president noted that the final copy of the General Appropriations Bill will not be transmitted to Malacañang without his signature.

“It’s possible that we will operate on a re-enacted budget. As we speak we will request the executive department to urge the House leadership to maintain what we agreed upon,” Sotto said.

Sotto said he has raised the issue of the budget with President Duterte.

“He will support what is right,” Sotto said.

On Feb. 8, the Senate and the House ratified the P3.7-trillion budget for this year.