President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s decision to veto PHP95.3-billion worth of appropriations in the 2019 national budget has earned praises from Senator Panfilo Lacson.
“If there is one act of PRRD that is worthy of admiration, this veto message is on top of my list. With his guts, glory comes to the Filipino taxpayers,” Lacson said in a Twitter post.
The senator explained that the vetoed infrastructure funding would result in savings of PHP19.06 billion.
“Simple math tells us this: PHP95.3B x 20 percent (pork commission) equals PHP19.06B savings from our hard earned tax money,” the senator said.
The vetoed items were appropriations in the details of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ programs or projects, which according to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, were not within the “programmed priorities.”
