Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Senate Okay of 2010 GAA Lessens Chance of Budget Diversion


Sen. Mar Roxas lauded his colleagues in the Senate for approving on third reading the 2010 General Appropriations Act. It lessens the possibility of President Arroyo treating the national budget as her personal pork barrel in a crucial election year.

The President would enjoy total control of the proposed P1.5-trillion national budget for 2010 if Congress would hand her a re-enacted 2009 General Appropriations Act, Roxas said.

He appealed to members of the bicameral conference committee to fast-track discussions on the 2010 national budget to ensure that the final version is ratified by Congress before the Dec. break.

Year 2010 is an election year, Roxas said. It was important for the public to remain vigilant to ensure public funds are not diverted for electoral purposes, like what happened in the 2004 presidential elections when P728 million in agriculture funds and billions of pesos more for other agencies were used for the reelection bid of President Arroyo.

Christmas Message

I hope that 2009 has been kind to you as it has been to me. I am thankful for having been united with Korina as husband and wife; for the good health of the people I hold dear; and for the continuing support from friends, family, and the Filipino people. I hope the coming year will bring more blessings to the nation and her people.

The past year has certainly been for you and the nation, a time of joys as well as of tears. The Filipinos’ resilience in the face of crises embodies our commitment to the future: It embodies our collective hope that tomorrow will be better. We will not give up. /MP

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