CELEBRATING THE SENATE’S 97th ANNIVERSARY. Senate President Franklin M. Drilon addresses Senate officials and employees during the Senate’s flag raising ceremony Monday, October 21. Drilon took the opportunity to thank everyone for what he calls a “selfless act” in deciding to forego plans to celebrate the annual Christmas Party in favor of donating the funds to the victims of recent calamities that struck Visayas and Mindanao. The Senate, which is also celebrating its 97th Anniversary, has also decided to allocate the budget for the anniversary to the victims of the recent 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate President Franklin Drilon insists Congress’ move to clearly define savings is not an insult to the Supreme Court.
Drilon explained it is the legislative body’s prerogative to create laws that will clarify the concept of savings in the budget.
President Aquino has ordered both chambers of Congress to draft a resolution that will allow government to declared savings midyear and use them for other projects.
“What the Supreme Court did is to interpret what Congress meant as savings because of the definition of savings under the General Appropriations Act. So we have the prerogative as the policy-making body of government to clearly define by law either through a special law or GAA what we mean exactly by savings,” he said.
“It is not an insult. It is part of our system of government,” he added.
The issue of “savings” has become a hot topic after the Supreme Court ruled on the unconstitutional acts under the Disbursement Acceleration Program.
The high court specifically struck down Malacanang’s practice of declaring savings from unreleased appropriations.
President Aquino now wants a law that would clarify the definition of “savings.” He specifically wants to impound “savings” even during the early part of the year. (MNS)