Lagman assails P125-M fund transfer; highlights VP Duterte's augmentation, confidential funds request to DBM

Manila Bulletin

Liberal Party (LP) President Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman cited four reasons why he thinks the Department of Budget and Management's (DBM) "transfer or release" of P125 million from the contingent fund of the Office the President (OP) was a big no-no. (Video Courtesy of House of Representatives)  READ: https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/26/lagman-assails-p125-m-fund-transfer-highlights-vp-duterte-s-augmentation-confidential-funds-request-to-dbm   Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin  Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin  #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Transcript

00:00 The Constitution prohibits transfer of funds except with respect to constitutional officers

00:10 like the President relative to savings for augmentation of allocation which are deficient

00:21 in his office, not in any other office.

00:27 Consequently, it is unconstitutional for any transfer by one office to another, like the

00:39 transfer of funds from the office of the President to the office of the Vice President.

00:47 Two, transfer for augmentation must be from savings.

00:58 It was admitted that in the President's contingent fund, the savings in 2022 was only

01:06 50 million, but what was released to the OPP was 125 million.

01:15 So this was not from savings.

01:18 Three, the transfer or release is to augment deficiencies in the item of expenditure.

01:28 However, in this case, there is nothing to be augmented because the OPP has a zero appropriation

01:39 for confidential funds in 2022.

01:43 Zero appropriation cannot be augmented.

01:49 Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for this opportunity to make this manifestation, and thank you,

01:54 distinguished minority leader, for giving me the time to make this manifestation.

01:59 Thank you.

02:00 [END]

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