I have always emphasized in my writings and lectures that the budgetary process is not only a technical and administrative process. It is largely a political process. After all, decisions to raise tax and other revenue involves selection of the sector who should bear the tax burden. Decisions on priorities in expenditure are likewise very political. Which economic sector should benefit most from government expenditures?

There are the “you scratch my back and I scratch yours” practices. The elegant word for this “tradition” is parliamentary courtesy.”

Courtesy is not necessarily bad. However, it can be abused at the expense of public interest.

Parliamentary courtesy for budgets of the Office of the President and Office of the Press Secretary. Last Friday , the Senate Sub-Committee on Finance headed by Sen. Joker Arroyo approved the proposed new appropriations for the Office of the President and the Office of the Press Secretary amounting to P4.259 billion and P1.104 billion respectively. These total P5.363 billion. Proposed obligations are higher at P5.512 billion.

Media reported that the approval was granted in less than 10 minutes with a minimum of review and scrutiny. Only the Sub-Committee Chair was present, media further reported. The excuse given is that it is a traditional practice. The budget of the President is approved quickly. In turn, the funds for the budget of Congress are released quickly.

It is regrettable that the budgets of the President were quickly approved. The public is curious about certain details and is demanding explanations. The questions raised by the Senate during the hearing on macroeconomic assumptions raised public curiosity about the president’s budget and her continued control of the Special Purpose Funds which now account for more than 57% of the total budget.

Some details about the budget of the Office of the President

Cong. TG Guingona has already reported on the president’s budget for local/foreign visits of the president in the amount of P248.792 million. He has pointed out that the Contingency Fund of P800 million contains a provision that it can also be spent for travel. Thus, she can spend P1 billion in one year for travel!

Intelligence funds are a constant source of speculation. This is because these are not subject to the usual audit procedures.

The Presidential Anti-Crimes Commission under the President includes P500 million for confidential and intelligence expenses to be released only upon approval of the president. At the same time, the general administration budget of the president also includes P150 million in intelligence funds, also to be released only upon approval of the president. Does this mean that the President will have P650 million which only she can approve for release? Hmmm.

One of the biggest items directly in the Office of the President is the Commission on Information and Communications Technology in the amount of P1.300 billion. Of this, over P1 billion is for the Telecommunications Office which is different from the National Telecommunications Office.

Why should the above office be part of the Office of the President? Its budget contains a provision that no more than P5 should be paid to private messengers per telegram delivered. One wonders how many telegrams are still delivered by messenger in these days of cell phones, texts and emails on a P1 billion budget. Hehe.

The President also has a total of P2.991 billion for general administration and support services as well as operations expenditures. Another hmmm.

The Office of the Press Secretary. The over P1 billion budget of the Office of the Press Secretary includes allocations for the Bureau of Broadcast Services (BBS). A reader of this column is asking about “Phase II of the Philippine Administrative Network Project (PANP 11).” The total cost of the project is P106.340 million, of which over P103 million is foreign funded. It is in the BBS budget.

Interestingly, the exact amount of Ph106.340 million is also in the Philippine Information Agency budget, which is also part of the Office of the Press Secretary. The description is exactly the same: “Phase II of the Philippine Administrative Network Project (PANP 11).” It is also described as a foreign assisted project.

One project is listed in two agencies with exactly the same cost. The curious reader is asking for answers which can only be ferreted out in a Senate or House hearing. Still another hmmm.

One last chance. The last opportunity to raise questions about the budget of the Office of the President is during the plenary debates.

It is hoped that senators who are threatening to raise questions will keep their word.