Pimentel worried over delay in passage of 2010 budget

MANILA, Philippines - Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. expressed concern yesterday over the passage of the 2010 budget, which might be delayed because of the decision of Congress to go on a break for the filing of certificates of candidacy of those running in the 2010 elections.

Pimentel said the reasons for the break were political and “that takes away precious time that should have been devoted to scrutinizing the budget very carefully.”

On the part of the Senate, Pimentel said he could vouch that they would work on the budget double time. “Just the same, you can only have so much stamina,” Pimentel said.

He said the administration would benefit if the budget were re-enacted.

“If it is a re-enacted budget before the new budget can be made effective, there is time for the administration to use whatever amounts are left in the old budget that is considered re-enacted for their own personal agenda,” Pimentel said.

“I really wonder because, when we resume our sessions, the budget will take priority and all the hours of the Senate will be devoted to that. Hopefully because it is important, we take a very serious look at the budget. And that is why I do not like this one-week break. I denounce it as a ploy to enable the administration to get away with the appropriations from being scrutinized minutely for lack of time,” Pimentel said. – With Aurea Calica