Tupas vetoes SP approved P861 million Executive Budget
Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. has officially vetoed the entire Appropriations Ordinance 2008-01-A approved recently by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
He submitted his 10-paged veto message to the SP secretariat yesterday.
Appropriations Ordinance 2008-01-A embodies the executive budget of the province of Iloilo for this year 2008.
Tupas proposed over P1 billion budget for this year but the SP committee on appropriations chaired by Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico slashed it by 139 million placing this year's budget at P861,189,878.77.
In vetoing the entire appropriations ordinance Tupas reasoned out that what the SP did is illegal, unconstitutional, and "ultra vires" or not within their powers.
Tupas added, the slashing of his proposed executive budget is oppressive and against public interest.
The governor added that the budget cut was not in accordance with the guidelines of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) but to satisfy the political interests of the vice governor.
Moreover, Tupas stressed that the slashing of his proposed budget was malicious as the SP increased their own budget.
Tupas noted that in the appropriations ordinance it approved the budget of the SP increased from P1.5 million to P3.7 million.
Tupas also questioned the title "Appropriations Ordinance 2008-01-A" saying the executive budget should have already included the 20% Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) fund.
Tupas also expressed that according to budgeting rules and regulations it is the function of the Governor to propose an executive budget and for the SP to enact an appropriation ordinance to operationalize the budget and not for them to revise and insert certain budgetary provisions.
Moreover, it is not within their function to take away the appropriation of certain positions especially those mandated under the Local Government Code especially that there is an incumbent in the position, the governor said.
To note, Appropriations Ordinance 2008-01-A slashed the budget allocation for the position Executive Assistant IV being held by the governor's wife Myrna and Executive Assistant II held by Levy Buenavista.
Appropriations for the positions of Provincial Administrator, being held by Manuel Mejorada, and Provincial Legal Officer, Atty. Salvador Cabaluna, were also deleted after the two officials failed to get confirmation from the SP.
Suplico also slashed the P43.2 million discretionary fund of the Governor's office, which include the P1 million intelligence fund.
Suplico earlier explained that the budget cut was necessary because it has been observed that the provincial government has been spending public money "irresponsibly."
The SP, of which majority members are allies of Suplico, is expected to override the governor's veto message.
Tupas, however, hopes that with the explanations he laid down in his veto message some of the SP members will have a "change of heart."