MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is optimistic that lawmakers would not derail the passage of the administration's priority bills even if President Rodrigo Duterte has vetoed billions of pesos worth of public works projects that are not part of his priority programs.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the president merely did what he thought was right when he thumbed down the projects, which has a total allocation of P95.37 billion.
"We don't see any retaliation by Congress for this measure," Nograles said during the Kapihan Sa Manila Bay media forum Wednesday.
"Nothing personal here. The president just did what he thought was correct and legal," he added.
Nograles expressed hope that Congress would act on the "low-hanging fruits" or bills that are in the advanced stage of legislation.
"After the elections, Congress will resume sessions. We're still hopeful that the low-hanging fruits in terms of the legislative agenda will get signed especially those awaiting approval on third reading or those awaiting bicameral approval," he said.
Nograles said among the priority bills that the administration hopes would be passed are the amendments to the public service act, the proposed National Land Use Act, the bill prohibiting endo or end of contract and the measure imposing additional excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol.
House and Senate leaders had accused each other of making last-minute changes to this year's budget, delaying the passage of the spending bill.
The exchanges among the two chambers did not stop even after Duterte signed this year's P3.662 trillion budget last Monday.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III has claimed that the vetoed items included provisions that the House of Representatives introduced after the budget was passed by the bicameral conference committee. Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya has responded by challenging senators to disclose their supposed "insertions" that were included in the budget signed by the president.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo has said the vetoed items were "unconstitutional."
In his veto message, the president did not call the vetoed projects illegal but stressed that he would not tolerate "attempts to circumvent the constitution" or any other action that would "prejudice" the Filipino people.
Nograles refused to comment on the tiff between the two chambers, saying lawmakers should be allowed to settle their issues.
"He (Duterte) said from the start that he cannot sign a document that is unconstitutional. It's (an issue among members of the) legislative branch. They are the ones talking about it. Let us not involve President Duterte," the cabinet official said.
"That's your responsibility. You're supposed to provide the president a document you agreed upon," he added.