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Media ReleasesSWP to President Duterte: Please veto all pork insertions in 2019 budget | SWP Press Release 23 Feb 2019
SOCIALWATCH PHILS·SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019 Social Watch Philippines to President Duterte: Please veto all pork insertions in 2019 budget
Social Watch Philippines (SWP) echoes the call of Senator Panfilo Lacson for President Rodrigo Duterte to impose his line-veto power over the suspected pork barrel allocations which were lodged under the Congress-ratified ₱3.757-trillion 2019 national budget. Senator Lacson revealed in his scrutiny of the 2019 budget that billions of congressional pork insertions of several legislators have been retained in the 2019 General Appropriations Bill (GAB). “To ensure a pork-free budget this year, we ask the President to delete all alleged congressional pork barrel insertions. This will erase any and all doubts that pork barrel has made its way into the 2019 budget,” SWP said. Social Watch Philippines explained that while it is in the power of Congress to formulate revisions to the national budget, these should be accounted for through public disclosure of a list of new or modified programs or projects and duly announced on the floor of the House of Representatives and the Senate. “Lawmakers should exercise transparency and accountability as they hold the Power of the Purse. Individual amendments that are not itemized and are unaligned with the priorities of the concerned agency may be regarded as pork,” the budget group added. With approximately a few weeks ahead of the expected final approval of the 2019 budget, Social Watch Philippines is hopeful that the President will act against pork with conviction once and for all. “We will continue to remain vigilant and call out against potential anomalies in the allocation and spending of the people’s money,” SWP concluded. ### Social Watch Philippines (SWP) is a network of over a hundred civil society organizations and individuals engaged in research and lobby efforts in holding the government accountable for the fulfillment of national, regional and international commitments to eradicate poverty and carry out social, economic, and gender justice. SWP promotes people-centered sustainable development by proactively monitoring the progress and delivery of social commitments forged by the government and influencing the outcomes of policy decisions through citizen's participation in public finance. Isagani R Serrano Marivic Raquiza Jeck Reyes-Cantos Rene Raya Janet Crndng Mars Mendoza Sheic Sims Dhel Lubyo AKTIB Philippines Tax Tobacco to the Max Maria Luz Anigan RoseAnn Batuigas John Christian Payumo Lottie Salarda Back to top |
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