Administration solon Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza has once again played the role of devil's advocate in the proposed move to extend the validity of funds under the P165.5-billion Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2).
(Facebook / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The measure, designated as House Bill (HB) No.8063, was passed on third and final reading by plenary at around 10 p.m. Monday via 179-6-0 (yes-no-abstain) vote, after having been certified as an urgent bill by Malacañang.
Just two hours earlier in an impromptu virtual hearing of the Committee on Appropriations, Daza--seemingly confused as to the purpose of the hearing--questioned why the panel was deliberating on the measure again despite it having been approved already for plenary consideration last Friday, December 11.
"If it's almost the same (measure), I was wondering why we needed to go back to the committee and pass it. I wonder if I missed something. I just want to make sure that nothing was inserted that's going to be detrimental to the objectives of extending appropriations," said Daza, who is Appropriations panel vice-chairman.
The presiding officer in the hearing, Quezon Rep. David Suarez, explained to Daza that the hearing had to be held since the Palace certification only technically endorsed HB No.8063, whereas the approved substitute bill on the Bayanihan 2 fund validity extension last Friday cover that and four other bills.
"You have our assurance that nothing drastic was changed, it's technically quite the same. We just had to agree in the details that as included in the (certification) letter sent to us by the Executive department," Suarez told his colleague.
"My concern is the last sentence of Section 1. Could you read again the version you have because I want to make sure that it's basically the same version that was sent to me," the Samar lawmaker said, sounding unsatisfied.
The particular provision gives assurance that the President may only "reprogram, reallocate, and realign from savings" and not from any other item in the national budget.
Daza had made a fuss out of the same provision during the Friday hearing, even going as far to say that he would reject the substitute bill's panel approval unless he was guaranteed of this "safeguard."
"I think most members may not want to have a repeat of what happened this year where many projects were realigned. 'Build, Build, Build' infrastructure projects were discontinued, they were revived, and then half was 'for later release,' the balance was put in the 2021 budget, in effect reducing the infrastructure projects that are critical in many poor areas...I just want an assurance that that won't happen," he said last Friday.
Suarez responded by saying that Section 1 in HB No.8063 and the erstwhile substitute bill "are exactly the same word for word."
"I'm OK with that language. I didn't want a wider discretion for the executive. Meaning they cannot realign, reallocate, or reprogram other items other than savings," Daza said during the Monday hearing.
He also expressed frustration over the Department of Budget and Management's (DBM) inability to tell the congressmen exactly how much money under Bayanihan 2 remains unutilized, especially since the Palace is basically asking Congress for more time to be able to spend it.
"It's kinda disappointing, I don't know why they can't provide that information especially given the fact that they want to extend the validity of the appropriations for the Bayanihan (2) Act. It seems like it's not in the ordinary course of business."
"There's got to be a rationale for the President to certify and they can't even give us this data. What actually remains unspent? It's not a tough question. I just want to make that point," Daza said.
He further asked the panel members to not act as a "rubber stamp" of Malacañang.
"I share your sentiments (on the DBM)," Suarez said. "Actually one reason that has caused this delay based on what has been reported to me is the submission coming from the different agencies and department. So they're still in the process of collating."
"But given the urgency of the matter, we will take note of your observation and we will (remind) DBM harder so they can submit to us the report that we so request," the presiding officer added.
The amended HB No.8063, which sets a new spending deadline of June 30, 2021, was approved by the committee shortly after this exchange. This paved the way for its plenary approval that same evening.
Bayanihan 2, which provides for a stimulus package of P140 billion in regular appropriation and P25 billion as standby fund, is set to expire on December 19, with a huge portion of the allocation yet to be released. The law is meant to prop up sectors that were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.