MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday expressed support for embattled Secretary Benjamin Diokno after the House of Representatives issued a resolution calling for his removal.
In a statement, the DBM said it was the duty of the Executive Branch, through the department, to prepare the budget while Congress has the constitutional mandate to make amendments.
Diokno’s track record “has always upheld the highest standards of integrity, honor and competence,” it added.
“The DBM strongly supports secretary Diokno and condemns the flimsy accusations hurled against him in furtherance of a political agenda,” the statement said.
Under the leadership of Diokno, underspending has been “significantly reduced” and the agency’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability was also recognized by international bodies, it said.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a resolution calling on President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider Diokno’s appointment as budget chief over a P75-billion insertion into the proposed 2019 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Diokno has denied any irregularity in the augmentation.
Prior to his current appointment, Diokno also served as the budget chief of former President Joseph Estrada and was budget undersecretary during the time of the late former President Corazon Aquino. (ABS-CBN News)
