Palace: Vetoed ‘insertions’ in 2019 budget ‘unconstitutional’By The Manila TimesMALACAÑANG on Tuesday justified President Rodrigo Duterte’s veto of the P95.3-billion worth of programs and projects in the 2019 national budget, saying the provisions were “unconstitutional.”Speaking to reporters, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said that the vetoed provisions were “insertions” which were not part of the programs of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Hence, it violates the Constitution,” Panelo said during a press briefing. Panelo, who is also Duterte’s chief legal counsel, further said the vetoed items in the budget were “unprogrammed.”“Remember the decision of the Supreme Court? “As I have said in my statement, those vetoed provisions are in violation of the Constitution or it is against certain statutes. He neither confirmed nor denied if the remaining P20 billion in the vetoed amount included insertions made by the Senate.

Source: Manila Times April 16, 2019 10:52 UTC