PROFESSOR Emeritus Leonor Magtolis Briones of the National College of Public Administration & Governance (NCPAG) of the University of the Philippines Diliman has served as  former Presidential Adviser for Social Development with Cabinet rank and former National Treasurer of the Philippines. She writes a column in The Times. She is the chief convenor of Social Watch Philippines.

She has made a reasoned and scientific appeal to our honorable members of Congress to desist from passing the proposed General Appropriations Act without removing its flaws that will permanently injure our Republic.