SP body adopts committee report vs P95M Supplemental Budget
Dura lex, sed lex. The law may be harsh, but it is the law.
And for Vice Governor Rolex Suplico, chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, what is "crystal clear" and "absolute law" cannot and must not be read otherwise.
As such, the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) in yesterday's regular session approved and moved to adopt the committee report on the now controversial P95 million Capitol Supplemental Budget.
In an 8-2 vote for the committee's report and recommendations, only Fourth District Board Member Shalene Palmares-Hidalgo and Second District June Mondejar showed reservations and objections.
The three-page report was summed up by the Vice Governor in floor deliberations saying, "we must read the language of the law. We cannot read an exemption when there is none. There is no Supplemental Budget if there is no Annual Budget to speak of."
The committee after consideration of the over P95 million Supplemental Budget pushed by Governor Niel Tupas urged the governor and the Local Finance Committee to first submit the proposed 2008 annual appropriations.
And "as soon as possible" too, the committee in its report went while adding that an Appropriation Ordinance must also be enacted to address wage adjustments of Capitol employees.
While at it, the committee stood firm on its earlier stance, "we do this fast and we do this rightly."
The matter raised the objection of Board Member Hidalgo who told the body her confusion on new assertions of the vice governor on the matter.
"I am in shock of the change of plans..I want to know how do we address this issue..fastest and easiest way," she said referring to supposed talks with Suplico and colleagues on the Supplemental Budget approval.
First District Board Member Richard Garin re-stressed his point though on getting things done "fast but only the right way."
Further still, the committee called on the enactment of an Ordinance amending Appropriation Ordinance No. 2007-04 series of 2007 by Governor Tupas.
This, the committee stated, is needed in order to augment any item in the savings of the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE). And such in return, will make possible the need to add more funds sought for the inmates' food in the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC).