MANILA, Philippines – Tinapos na ng Malaking Kapulungan ng Kongreso ang deliberasyon sa taunang badyet na P37.758-billion ng Department of Justice (DOJ) at iba pang mga ahensya nito.
Ayon sa sponsor na si Appropriations committee vice chairperson Rep. Raul Angelo “Jil” Bongalon (Ako Bicol Party-list), ang panukalang badyet ng DOJ para sa 2025 ay mas mataas ng 4.22% kumpara ngayong 2024 ay “will be used to support the department and its attached agencies’ programs, projects and operations for the effective, efficient and equitable administration of justice.”
Base sa panukala, ang Office of the Secretary ng DOJ ay may alokasyon na P9.2 billion; Bureau of Corrections ay P9.2 billion; Bureau of Immigration ay P5.6 billion; Land Registration Authority ay P1.2 billion; National Bureau of Investigation – P3.4 billion; Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution – P160.3 million; Office of the Government Corporate Counsel – P288.1 million; Office of the Solicitor General – P1.6 billion; Parole and Probation Administration – P1.1 billion; Philippine Commission for Good Government- P175.1 million; at Public Attorney’s Office ay P5.4 billion.
Samantala, kinumpirma ni Bongalon na wala pang natatanggap ang DOJ na anumang komunikasyon mula sa International Criminal Court (ICC) nang tanungin ni ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro kaugnay sa kaso ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.
Nang tanungin ni OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino kung paano gagamitin ng DOJ ang unobligated allotment nito na aabot sa P1 billion noon pang 2023 at ang projected unobligated funding na nagkakahalaga ng P971.77 milyon ngayong 2024.
“According to Executive Order 91, series of 2019, any unobligated allotment, unpaid obligation or undisbursed fund at the end of the fiscal year or extended period of payment ay ibabalik po natin sa national treasury at hindi po pwedeng gamitin ito for any expenditure except kung may panibagong legislative authorization. Hindi rin po ito maaaring gawing savings ng ahensiya. At ito pong sinasabi nating unused appropriation ay isang budget authority na hindi pa po na-obligate, bahagi po (ito ng) unused appropriation. Bakit po ganito kalaki ang unobligated allotment ng DOJ?,” tanong ni Magsino.
Paliwanag ni Bongalon na ang 2023 unobligated allotment na P1 billion ay nananatiling valid hanggang ngayong 2024.
“As mentioned earlier, there are catch-up plans to utilize these budgets. (The) P815 million will be accomplished for this year 2024, and as mentioned the P479 million will be used for the purchase of tactical equipment, P149 million will be used for the Phase 3 construction of the Department of Justice Academy. Also, the P187 million will be used as training fund for the PNP Liaise, and this will be accomplished by 2024. And then yung projected unobligated amount for this year is P971.77 million,” dagdag ni Bongalon. Meliza Maluntag
