House panel approves 2020 OP budget

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Malacañan Palace on August 5, 2019. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — Citing traditional courtesy, the House Committee on Appropriations on Friday swiftly approved the PHP8.2-billion proposed 2020 budget of the Office of the President (OP).

The whole proceedings took only about six minutes after Davao City 3rd District Rep. Isidro Ungab, the committee chair, moved for the immediate approval of the budget of President Rodrigo Duterte’s office after the budget presentation.

Ungab cited the traditional courtesy given to co-equal branches of the government during budget deliberations to move for the swift approval of the budget.

He also pointed out that the same courtesy was accorded to the Office of the Vice President, the Judiciary, and constitutional commissions.

Ungab’s move was unanimously carried and approved by the panel.

Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Ferdinand Gaite said they will further review the OP budget during plenary deliberations.