DBM: P11.3-B polls budget no certification yet

MANILA, Philippines - The P11.3-billion supplemental budget for the 2010 polls might violate the Constitution as the National Treasurer has not certified there is money for it - at least for now. Budget secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. admitted at a Senate hearing Monday they have not yet obtained such a certification from the Treasurer's Office for the amount. "Padating pa lang (It's on the way)," Andaya said when Sen. Panfilo Lacson asked if the budget is already covered with the certification. But Andaya insisted the certification will come in time for the discussion on the supplemental budget at the plenary level of the House of Representatives. Lacson pointed out that without the certification, the House appropriations committee passed the supplemental budget bill on an "IOU certificate." Under Article VI, Sec. 25 of the 1987 Constitution, "a special appropriations bill shall specify the purpose for which it is intended, and shall be supported by funds actually available as certified by the National Treasurer, or to be raised by a corresponding revenue proposal therein." "They passed it without the benefit of a certificate from the national treasurer that there are funds actually available in violation of the Constitution. I mentioned that because (Senate finance committee chairman Edgardo) Angara will not allow that," Lacson said. "Our commitment is before plenary day we will have the certification," Andaya replied. - GMANews.TV