Budget manipulation | The Manila Times

IT seems that before the Christmas spirit of love and joy, cheer and goodwill comes to us, we have to endure the misgovernance of our legislative bodies and feel less than merry.

With all the talk about a transparent budget, public hearings and holier-than-thou affirmations for the good of the nation, what did we see at the end? Another bicameral proceeding literally taking back everything done and said. Lopping off P12 billion from education, P70 billion from the Department of Transportation, parsimoniously removing the PhilHealth subsidy to sanction its incompetent if not venal staff which punishes not the guilty but the public that deserves universal health care. The staff is still there receiving their salaries and benefits without doing the services required. And planning a lavish anniversary party. Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways not only got its budget but also a windfall of billions, more so it is now in the trillion range. This department must be more manageable to the legislators than other departments. Flood-control projects again?