Are you of the belief that 'insertions' in road and other such budgets are anomalous?

Definitely. These insertions are anomalous. The clear intent of these insertions is to mislead and, at the end of the day, to collect. – Marilyn Domingo, Manila

It’s illegal if the intention is to steal the money, but not if it’s an attempt to upgrade the project. – Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City

It should be investigated

Sen. Santiago confirms that a total of P11.5 billion was inserted in the 2008 budget. She said it will probably finance the candidacy of officials in 2010. It should be investigated. – Vic Alim, Caloocan City

There is nothing wrong with budget insertions as long as they are justified for public interest. Any insertion allocated for a good purpose, determined or not, is well taken on my behalf. The fear of Sen. Santiago is the vulnerability of its use in the 2010 elections. Well, let us safeguard it and be vigilant. It’s high time we really took our role as empowered citizens. Let’s make sure that before we react, we really know what we are talking about. – Joewel Saba, Quezon City

It seems that budgetary insertions is the “in” thing nowadays among our legislators. I find those budgets quite dubious and anomalous. – Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City

Insertions without the consent or against the will of the stakeholders is tantamount to raping the budget, thus, anomalous. Maybe a realignment is okay. – Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City

The national budget insertions must be anomalous considering the fact that some lawmakers are calling for its investigation. – Rudy Tagimacruz, Bukidnon

Transparency is needed

Absolutely anomalous; there’s no transparency from the Congress on these “insertions” and the DBM and DPWH are silent. Plain connivance; everybody’s happy! – Ed Alawi, Davao City

Obviously, yes; they should observe transparency. – Jojit Yu, Pitogo, Quezon

More important than one’s belief on these “insertions” would be the need to push for a realistic, factual and transparent monitoring system on government projects. – Jun Cajucom, Tacloban City

Prone to corruption

“Insertions” means last minute additional money allocations which are questionable and highly vulnerable to grafters. – Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City

Insertions to the original budget are anomalous because they are secretively done, making the budget prone to graft. – Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City

It appears that these insertions are our leaders’ way of making palusot in the budget process. If there’s palusot, it could lead to kurakot. Kawawang Pilipinas. – E. Linsangan, Isabela

Budgetary insertions are anomalous because these lead to graft and the funds could go to the pockets of the politicians involved. – June Deoferio, Cavite City

In undertaking projects, I would make specific and clear details in the budget. For me, insertions are last-minute kickbacks; graft and corruption rearing their ugly heads yet again. – Joseph Aliviado, Cagayan de Oro City

This is a strategy to deceive the public into believing that such insertions are done in good faith when actually the intention is to pocket it. – C. Gaspar, Laoag City

Not in the real sense. Sabi nga nila, it is a normal practice in the Senate, as insertions are additional funding intended for other unforeseen projects. Budgeting, by the way, is only a financial plan. Legal documents, like quotations, undergo bidding and approval before the project is released. Sadly, corruption is possible. Any government transaction can be considered anomalous. Only lawmakers themselves can put an end to this, with the strict implementation of the anti-corruption law. Maybe a firing squad for the first 100 corruptors? Kaya lang baka walang matira sa kanila. – Danny de Leon, Al-Khafji, Saudi Arabia

Yes, they’re anomalous because they came out as double entries. We all know that insertions, omissions and commissions are the offspring of corruption, so what’s there to fret about? As the saying goes, mamumunga ba ng upo ang kalabasa? We’re truly living up to the legend! – Imee Aglibot, Rizal

Budget insertions are certainly anomalous. We are in a realm of corruption and distortion, where most elected public officials have done the practice. – Elpidio Que, Vigan

Not if they undergo scrutiny

Insertions to the budget are not illegal, especially if everything undergoes scrutiny by members of Congress and everything is properly justified by the different government agencies. – Johann Lucas, Quezon City

No, as long as the inserted budget for a project is done within the bounds of law. – C.B. Manalastas, Manila

An anomalous practice

They’re highly anomalous, indeed. Congressional insertions are discreet under-the-table transactions among congressmen and Cabinet members tolerated by Malacañang officials. – Leonard Villa, Batac City

When my brother was working for an office machine company, a government agency bought an electric typewriter. He was surprised when, at every table he passed through, his was always required to add a certain amount in the receipt for the signatory. He ended up needing to “doctor” the receipt, until the price of the typewriter had tripled. My sister, who holds a position in a government office, discovered, when her team inspected a certain the project, that substandard materials were used and the requirements specified in the contract were not met. When she questioned the anomalies, nagalit ang contractor and approached my sister and threatened her that she’d regret it later if she submitted a negative report. My sister reported the truth and passed the next inspection on to another team. My brother currently works in a private company that delivers construction materials. He sees with his own eyes the patong and the pinanipis ang sementong highways – reason why we have roads and bridges that do not last. Those insertions are kurakot and are part of the deal. – Rose Leobrera, Manila

This is an anomalous practice. It’s a system used to siphon taxpayers’ money. It is an example of how our flawed system is being tolerated by our leader. – Delfin Todcor, Mt. Province

It appears so because the insertions are done with regularity. – Ric Vergara, Calamba

Yes, because the mere act of insertion in an already approved budget is in itself questionable and abnormal. – Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City

Sure. These insertions are anomalous in any language because this is where our greedy lawmakers get their 10-50 percent commission or money they can divert to their personal accounts. – Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City

But of course! Anything out of the planned budget which is inserted afterwards is highly anomalous. – Lydia Reyes, Bataan

Stealing from taxpayers

These insertions are definitely anomalous in the sense that we, the poor taxpayers, would never exactly know what these public officials are doing with our hard-earned money unless someone squeals. – Wes Vinluan, Quezon City

Insertions are no different from stealing from taxpayers. They are not just anomalous but illegal, unconscionable, immoral, dishonest, decadent, low, rotten and wicked. This just validates that most politicians are the lowest form of living matter. – C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City

Definitely, as these “insertions” are like extra baggages thrown aboard an already overloaded ship by scheming lawmakers. – Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte

War chest

Such insertions are definitely anomalous. We want to know who made the insertions because we are nearing the 2010 elections. – Digoy Coro, Batangas City

The P200 million double insertions may cost Sen. Villar his chance of ever winning the presidential race. The senator has the motive; he stands to gain because the road enhances the values of his subdivisions surrounding it. Yes, P200 million is loose change to the senator but candidates lose because of silly mistakes, like Speaker Mitra who lost because of allegations that he used the House press to print his campaign posters. – Robert Young Jr., San Juan

Anomalous, yes. It’s tongpats, to be more precise, to bolster war chests for the2010 elections. – Ed Ledesma, Iloilo City

P57.5 million in loans for bridges? Somebody should file a bill disallowing any new infrastructure to be built a year before the national elections to prevent diversion. – Vic Alim, Caloocan City

It’s nothing new

What’s new? These insertions are made without any accountability afterwards. Well, just take a sigh and let’s diligently pay taxes to sustain them. – Ruel Bautista, Laguna

The bigger the insertion, the greater the anomaly and grandstanding. Afterwards, the people just get back to work as if nothing happened. – Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Nueva Ecija

What do lawmakers have to do with projects?

Yes, insertions are as anomalous as the system itself is. Why do lawmakers have something to do with projects when they are supposed to deal only with laws? – Rodolfo Capili, Caloocan City

Of course. All along these so-called honorable politicians have been pulling our legs. And they have the temerity to say that it’s normal to do it! We were not privy to these anomalies until Sen. Lacson’s exposé. – Ella Arenas, Pangasinan

Secrecy makes it anomalous

The mere fact that insertions in the national budget are done secretly makes it anomalous. – Joel Caluag, Bulacan

The way it was done, yes. Insertions secretly done to PGMA’s proposed budget, before her signature for implementation, are indeed anomalous. – Cris Rivera, Rizal

Yes. The secrecy behind the insertions stink. Why insert anything, when having a supplementary budget is allowed? – Nap Cinco, Rizal

Insertion is a sneaky act common to thieves who secretly insert their fingers in their victims’ pocket to steal their money. Dirty robbers. – Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan

Insertions done quietly or secretly can lead to fraud. It should be banned. – Dels Reyes, Marikina City

The SOP on the national budget as the public knows it is that it is prepared by the executive branch and submitted to the legislative branch for deliberation and approval. It is usually amended – the amount per item is either increased or decreased and other items are deleted or others are added with the executive branch being informed. It is the amendment that prolonged the deliberation and approval. The secret insertion of items cannot be considered an amendment. It is not constitutional and, therefore, anomalous. – Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City

All insertions that do not undergo a proper forum are anomalous and, therefore, are an unlawful and corrupt practice. – Eric Gopilan, Metro Manila

With the plethora of exposés and charges sweeping the legislature and our nation, whatever good such insertions may bring is negated by abuses, controversy and secrecy during congressional deliberations. Thus, no explanation or justification will erase the stigma ascribed to the said items. – William Gonzaga, Marikina City

As clear as day

Yes, it’s as clear as the sky on a bright summer day. I only hope that those who maliciously made these insertions would be roasted under the glaring light of truth. – Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan

Yes, I believe that DPWH road projects are always shrouded by controversy and anomalies. There are so many holes, cracks and craters on the roads, as if they were struck by lightning. This is true especially of farm-to-market roads. No wonder llonggos have this acronym: Damo project, wala homan. - Diony Yap, Bacolod City

Overpriced or non-existent

Budget insertions are anomalous if the projects are overpriced and non-existent. – Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City

They may also be justifiable

I don’t see anything wrong with these insertions as long as the initiator has no ulterior motive. It must be for the common good and not for his pockets. – Jim Veneracion, Naga City

If done for good reasons, these are a lot of help; other than that, it tends to lead to corruption. – Jose Fabello Jr., Misamis Oriental

No, it’s not. Budget insertions become anomalous when some misguided legislators put some color to the main purpose of the insertions. – Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City

It depends on whether the insertion was really necessary; otherwise, we can start thinking that there was malicious intent. – Gerry del Cano, Muntinlupa City

Budgetary insertions are not irregular or illegal but become anomalous if the budget intended for a particular project is spent on something else. – Seth Carranza, Catanduanes

No, such should be viewed as legal budget amendments once passed and approved. It’s their implementation that would become anomalous if abused and corrupted. – C.B. Fundales, Bulacan

THE WAY I SEE IT

Tainted China-made milk products have affected many consumers worldwide, beating the US financial meltdown to the international news headlines. – Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City

KUDOS

It was the grace of God. Congratulations to Frankie Lim, the Red Lions and to San Beda for the three-peat. Great job! - Debbie Genato, Quezon City

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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