Lawmaker blasts P731 billion ‘presidential super pork’ in national budget

August 4, 2024 , 05:54 PM

By Gabriel Kim Leal

(August 4, 2024) – A progressive lawmaker on Sunday denounced the increase in unprogrammed appropriations in this year’s national budget, citing their possible use for misappropriation of funds.

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro alleged that unprogrammed appropriations are the new form of “presidential super pork” that undermines transparency and accountability in public spending.

“We are seeing a dangerous trend in the 2024 national budget where unprogrammed appropriations have ballooned to P731.4 billion, an increase of P449.5 billion from the original proposal,” said Castro in a media release.

Unprogrammed appropriations are backup funds that can be used when regular revenues are insufficient or when budget items are deficient or non-existent.

Last week, the Department of Budget and Management submitted the proposed P6.352 trillion national budget for next year to Congress, marking a 10.1% increase from the current allocation of P5.767 billion.

Castro earlier noted that unprogrammed appropriations have steadily increased under the term of Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr.

She added that unprogrammed appropriations allow the executive branch to reallocate funds from government-owned and controlled corporations like the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), the Social Security System, and the Government Service Insurance System to various projects at the president’s discretion.

“This mechanism allows the administration to siphon off funds meant for critical public services and redirect them to pet projects without proper legislative oversight,” added Castro.

Last Friday, a group led by Sen. Koko Pimentel III filed a petition before the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of the provision on unprogrammed appropriations in this year’s national budget and the transfer of the P89.9 billion worth of excess funds of PhilHealth to the national treasury.

Castro called for an end to the use of unprogrammed appropriations and demanded direct funding for healthcare and other essential services.

She also urged the public to remain vigilant against budgetary maneuvers that threaten good governance and the equitable distribution of public resources.

“We call for the abolition of all forms of pork barrel, including this new modus operandi of unprogrammed appropriations,” stressed Castro.

(PM)

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