Duterte signs Philippines' 2019 national budget

Manilla: After long delays in its passage, President Rodrigo Duterte has finally signed the 2019 national budget, senior officials confirmed.

“The Palace wishes to announce that President Rodrigo Duterte has already signed Republic Act No. 11260, otherwise known as the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2019,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement.

“The 2019 GAA is the reflection of the Administration’s vision of genuine change for the Philippines, where effective and efficient delivery of programs, projects and public services for our people will be its hallmark,” he added.

However, Duterte vetoed around $1.8 billion worth of appropriations, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said.

Among the provisions he subjected to conditional implementation were the allowance and benefits of teachers and the creation of teaching positions, construction of evacuation centers, funding for foreign-assisted projects, revolving funds, and lump-sum appropriations for capital outlays, as well as financial assistance to local government units and funding requirements for foreign service among others.

Earlier, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he would support a presidential veto of the entire national budget if irregularities were found.

The delay in the passage of the 2019 budget stemmed from an impasse between the two houses of congress after last-minute amendments made to the final version of the bill approved by the bicameral conference committee.

In his 13-page veto message, Dutert said, "Consistent with the foregoing aspirations and in the faithful exercise of my office and due fidelity to my oath, I will not tolerate attempts to circumvent the constitution or any other action that will prejudice the Filipino people whom I serve.

“Accordingly, I hereby exercise my constitutional duty and register the following actions in this year's GAA.

"Admittedly, the passage of the FY 2019 Budget was not as smooth as we had hoped for. But we can look back at this experience positively if we choose to see certain delays as a manifestation of our legislators' commitment to the exercise of the power of the purse for the common good,” he added.