Palace distances self from zero allocation for opposition lawmakers

December 21, 2017

Malacanang has nothing to do with the decision of the leadership of the House of Representatives to remove the allocation for infrastructure projects of some 24 opposition lawmakers, an official said on Thursday.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque reiterated the separation of powers between the executive and the legislative branches of government.

"Congress has exclusive and primary jurisdiction in the preparation and approval of the budget. We had nothing to do with whatever decision both houses of Congress had on the alleged deprivation of projects as far as opposition congressmen are concerned. That’s something that should be addressed to the leadership of both houses of Congress," Roque said.

He said if it was true the opposition congressmen got zero allocation from the 2018 budget, the Palace could not do anything about it.

"It’s not a decision that we make because all public funds must be supported by an expenditure law. So it’s not for us, a decision for the Executive to make, it’s a decision that Congress makes," Roque said.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed on on Dec. 19 the P3.767 trillion budget for next year. Celerina Monte/DMS