‘TYRANNY OF MAJORITY’ | Makabayan bloc slams House’s swift passage of P5.768T national budget

September 28, 2023 , 10:48 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(September 28, 2023) – The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the P5.768 trillion national budget of the administration of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. for next year but not without stern opposition from the Makabayan bloc.

Voting 296-3-0, the lawmakers gave their final nod to House Bill (HB) No. 8980 but certain amendments, particularly the realignment of confidential and intelligence funds, have yet to be introduced in the approved version. A small group of lower chamber leaders will decide on this matter.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez touted the “timely passage” of the bill before they go into a month-long break. Despite public concerns about the spending of government funds, he assured that existing policies will be strictly observed to ensure transparency and accountability for all expenses.

“We underscored the need for agencies to abide by the strict accounting and auditing rules governing the handling and release of such funds and emphasized the need to safeguard its efficient and responsible utilization,” said Romualdez in a statement.

But the three members of the Makabayan bloc expressed their disappointment since they believe that the national budget does not respond to people’s urgent needs.

Before the bill was put to vote, Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel questioned the validity of the certificate of urgency issued by Marcos that allowed the House of Representatives to pass HB No. 8980 on second and third reading on the same day. He tried explaining why he raised a point of order on the matter but his microphone was turned off.

“The tyranny of the majority has been displayed. With that, I vote no and I would like to explain my vote later. My mic was even shut. That’s disrespectful to the public,” said Manuel when he cast his vote on the bill, a statement that another lawmaker sought to strike out because of its “unparliamentary” nature.

ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said the lower chamber had the position to craft a national budget that would help the people, but she lamented that they opted to keep the status quo.

“Pinapasa nga natin ito ngayong gabi nang wala tayong hawak na kopya, na tila pinapapirmahan sa atin ang isang higit P5.7 trillion check habang nakapiring ang ating mga mata,” lamented Castro.

Echoing the concerns of her colleagues, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas repudiated the “Agenda for Prosperity” theme of the national budget, citing the selective benefits this provides.

“Hindi matutugunan ng panukalang budget ang mga batayang pangangailangan ng mga Pilipino lalo’t kulang na kulang ang alokasyon para sa batayang serbisyo na dapat sana’y prayoridad ng kasalukuyang administrasyon,” said Brosas.

Meanwhile, the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP) said the “railroading” of the bill was a “deadly sin.”

“The majority of representatives in the Congress have proven to be sloths in approving a budget for anti-people policies, confidential funds, travel expenses, and fascism, at the expense of the need for more classrooms, health programs, and other social services,” said SCMP.

(PM)

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