What’s the fuss about the 2019 national budget?
Some of the tabloids have made the following headlines: An-daya vs. Diok-no? Or in the reverse, Daya-an vs. No-diok?
Filipinos, the way we are, always find a “silver lining” in every complicated, troublesome issue.
However, the situation is not amusing, as our government will be operating in a re-enacted budget, which means that infrastructure projects will be delayed, and increase of salaries of government workers will be held in abeyance, for starters.
The key players in the infighting Presidential allies are: the Arroyo lieutenants in Congress vs. the President’s men.
The first salvo was made when former House Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez was deposed when his kumpadre and sidekick Rudy Fariñas had gone after a beloved Duterte ally, Imee Marcos, covered by live television, a few hours before Duterte’s 2018 State of the Nation Address.
The executive department (the President’s men) prepare the national budget, after which is it endorsed to Congress, as it is the constitutional body tasked to pass the national budget into a law.
In Congress, budget hearings are held to rationalize the items and corresponding amounts, in aid of legislation.
Budget Secretary Ben Diokno attended the hearings, and was grilled on the specificities, principally by the Arroyo ally and House Majority Leader Rolly Andaya.
The inquiry focused on the alleged P51.8-billion worth of insertions in the unpassed 2019 budget, supposedly maneuvered by Diokno.
Now it can be told, they are squabbling over funds, (pork?), and “money being the root of all evil,” concluding with the Arroyo group asking for Diokno’s resignation.
In turn, the President’s men hunkered down, and gave their full support to the beleaguered Diokno, calling it “a breach of interparliamentary courtesy”.
Diokno lashed back, too, saying, he had no hand in choosing contractors, and that it was a “legitimate adjustment” to raise infrastructure spending to near five percent. He also corrected the amount — it was not P51.8 billion but rather, P75 billion.
Now, who is really in control of government?
Remember, Duterte’s popularity still remains high, so far, no blame has landed on his invincible shoulders.
But whichever ally camp prevails, then the real party wielding power will be revealed.
Meanwhile, the Filipino people are waiting to exhale!
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