MANILA – Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte will scrutinize every provision of the proposed P3.7-trillion national budget after it was passed by the Congress on Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte will still review the bicameral conference committee approved measure, particularly the re-alignments made.
“The President, like the lawyer that he is, will be evaluating the budget, scrutinize every provision then decide whether or not as claimed by some, certain portions are unconstitutional,” Panelo said.
Panelo added that Duterte may also exercise his line-veto powers over certain provisions on the budget bill, which he might deem as unconstitutional.
“That’s his judgment call. He will have to review the enrolled bill. And if it is consistent with the Constitution, he will sign it,” Panelo said. “He also has the right to veto re-alignments.”
He added: “It is still the President’s call. Whatever the opinion of the House will not matter with respect to the President deciding whether it’s constitutional or not.”
The 2019 national budget bill has been finally sent to Malacañang for signature on Tuesday after Senate President Vicente Sotto III signed the measure but with reservations.
The government is operating on a reenacted budget and the Palace and finance officials have warned that remaining in this setup could affect the country’s economic growth for 2019./PN
