"On Supplemental Budget"

Part 1

Q: Sir, the supplemental...

SP: Oo, calamity fund 'yata.

Q: Na-source na ba, sir, where it will come from?

SP: It will be taken from the unprogrammed portion of the present budget and it will be funded. Alam mo, ang unprogrammed is a reserved item to be used in times of need, so there are contingencies. So, this situation is a contingency that was contemplated by the unprogrammed portion of the budget so they will have to fund that probably through borrowing or through savings or whatever sources are available in the hands of the national government.

Q: Sir, kanina na-raise 'yung possibility that it will be taken from the royalties of the Malampaya?

SP: They can do that if they have the amount but the income from Malampaya is booked by PNOC in its own books of account. So, they have to take that out in the form of a loan, dividend or whatever.

Q: Pero wala namang legal impediments?

SP: Walang legal impediments.

Q: Sir, maihahabol natin ang pagpasa nito?

SP: Kung icecertify nila, we can approve this in 10 minutes.

Q: Sir, wala pang certification because tomorrow is your last day of session?

SP: Wala pa yata. Ewan ko kung meron. Napasa na sa House, so that means there is a certification. Imposibleng ipapasa ng ganoon kabilis sa House kung walang certification.

Q: Kailangan bang i-sign ni Presidente ang resolution?

SP: Yes, I think so. She has to certify it. I'm not sure.

Q: Sir, narinig ko kay Senator Angara na there is no need for the signature.

SP: Siguro nga. I'm not very familiar with the signature of the President kung ano ang pipirmahan niya at hindi niya pipirmahan.

Q: Magkakaproblema ba doon sa structure ng special committee?

SP: Wala naman but tinatanong ko lang kung ano ang istruktura noon at 'yung pera na gagamitin nila must pass through Congress.

Q: Ito ang mag-ooversee kasi ng construction...

SP: Okay lang 'yung oversight kung sila ang mag-ooversee. Pero 'yung authorization to spend must be made by Congress.

Part 2

Q: Pinasa na daw kagabi sir sa House?

SP: Ngayon, kailangan i-certify ng national treasurer sa amin na meron na actual na pera. Supplemental budget ang sinasabi, sa Saligang batas, yung supplemental budget must be accompanied by a revenue measure to support it, or a certification of actual available funds in the treasury to support it. That is the Constitution. Hindi pwede yung 'will be made available' lang.

Q: So far, wala pa pong ganung certification, Sir?

SP: Wala pa. Wala pa yata. Ewan ko. Manggagaling sa House yun eh. There must be a proof of the actual availability of funds.

Q: Approved na daw sa House last night, sir?

SP: Ewan ko kung meron. Because we will require the presence here of the national treasurer to tell us where that money is coming from, where it is deposited. Because ang sinasabi sa Saligang Batas, there must be an actual money available in the treasury. Yung 'will be made available' is different from the wording of the Constitution which requires actual availability. Yun ang aking intindi, ha? Yun ang recollection ko sa Constitution.

Q: Kung may certification sir, maipa-pass ninyo yun hanggang bukas?

SP: Oo. We can pass.

Q: Wala naman po kayong nakikitang opposition? Kasi may statement last week si Nograles na sinasabi niya na may mga senador na mag-ooppose dun sa budget?

SP: Wala naman akong alam na mag-ooppose dito. Si minority floor leader ata ang nagbitaw ng salita. Ewan ko. That's my recollection. You better check.

Q: Sir, otherwise, kung may certification na, magiging smooth sailing yung pagpasa ng budget?

SP: This will become a matter of voting. We will vote on it.

Q: Sir, mamaya po ba nasa agenda na yun?

SP: Ewan ko kung gaano kabilis magreport si Senator Angara, nasa kamay niya yun.