BUDGET DEFENSE. Senator Sonny Angara, chairperson of the Committee on Finance, answers questions as the Senate begins plenary debates on the proposed PHP5.768 trillion national budget for 2024 on Nov. 8, 2023. Angara, sponsor of the 2024 National Expenditure Program, reiterates during the questioning of the minority bloc that next year’s budget will encourage growth, slash poverty, narrow the budget deficit and reduce debt, jumpstart the economy’s transformation, and finally cement the country’s status as an upper middle-income nation. (Photo courtesy of Senate PRIB)
MANILA – Senator Sonny Angara downplayed on Thursday questions raised on the PHP731.4 billion unprogrammed fund in the ratified 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA), saying it is "nothing really out of the ordinary."
Angara made the statement during an interview with CNN Philippines when asked about Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III's sentiment that the approved 2024 GAA might be unconstitutional.
"The unprogrammed fund is nothing new. It has been there for I think, the last two decades. So, I think what changed this year is it has been growing over time. I think, this is also a sign of a growing economy and it's part of the Philippine growth story that in case our collections, which has been growing and if based on 2023 where they were above target, then there's a good chance that some of these projects will be funded even though it's just in an unprogrammed or standby appropriations," he clarified.
Angara, who led the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference on the 2024 GAA as chairperson of the Committee on Finance, said that the unprogrammed fund is even smaller this year than last year's.
"Last year, it was PHP800 plus billion," he said.
The lawmaker further explained that the unprogrammed fund or the standby appropriation can only be spent by the executive branch if revenues goes above its target.
"That's why it's called a stand-by or unprogrammed. It's not part of the programmed. But in case your revenues are better than what you've expected or targeted, then you can fund those appropriations," Angara said.
Unprogrammed fund, he said, is usually being used for existing programs of the government in infrastructure, education, or social services which gives the government an elbow room in expanding its reach and services.
"Imagine if you discover at the end of the year or by November 2024 that your targets or your tax collections are above target and you decide that you want to propose to Congress to authorize me to spend an additional amount. That will take time. That's why the stand-by or the unprogrammed fund is there," Angara further explained.
In an ambush interview on Wednesday, Pimentel said Congress can only maintain or reduce, but can never increase the appropriations, citing Article 6 Section 25 of the Constitution that "Congress may not increase the appropriations recommended by the President for the operation of the Government as specified in the budget. The form, content, and manner of preparation of the budget shall be prescribed by law."
He said that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was only asking for PHP281 billion unprogrammed funds but was approved PHP450 billion more.
Pimentel, who voted negative during the ratification of the 2024 GAA, also claimed that the measure can be questioned before the Supreme Court.
Angara said the 2024 GAA is currently in the printing process and expected to be signed by President Marcos next week when he returns from his official travel to Japan. (PNA)
