No override on budget veto

There will be no override of the governor’s veto on the FY 2000 budget.

At least that is the position of the House of Representatives following the strong objection by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio on the proposed spending package which was approved in May by lawmakers barely four months into the next fiscal year.

House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial said the lower house will not press an override of the veto, citing the concerns raised by the administration on several provisions of the budget bill.

The Senate, on the other hand, has yet to decide whether to override, although Sen. Edward U. Maratita, chair of the Fiscal Affairs Committee, said a decision is forthcoming during a session this week.

Mr. Tenorio, in disapproving the legislative proposal, warned of potential deficit spending and layoff of government employees if he signed the bill appropriating the $208 million estimated revenues of the government after three-quarters of that money have been allotted to all departments and agencies.

He also expressed concerns that some provisions, including the tax offset proposal on public liabilities and allocation of revenues from public land leases, would violate the Constitution and undermine the tax collection effort of the government.

“Because the fiscal year is almost over, we don’t want to tie the governor’s hand at this point in time,” said Mr. Fitial in an interview Saturday during the GOP fund raiser at the Royal Taga Beach Club.

“It’s not fair to jeopardize the governor’s operations and his programs because we want to change the direction of the government in midstream,” he added.

At the same time, Mr. Fitial assured the lower house will begin its review of the FY 2001 budget proposal submitted by the governor last April as soon as possible to meet the constitutionally-mandated deadline of its passage before the end of current fiscal year on Sept. 30.

“I have already asked the leadership that we will be reviewing the FY 2001 budget thoroughly, seriously and positively,” he explained. “The House will pass the budget way before the new fiscal year begins.”

House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta echoed his sentiment as he noted that the Ways and Means Committee has begun preparation for the review. In fact, the panel has already met with Ed S. Tenorio, the governor’s special assistant for budget and management.

He said that the review will be a “different process” compared to the previous procedure where budget hearings were conducted for every department and agency to justify its requested appropriation.

“We will be moving in full steam as indicated by the chairman [Rep. Antonio Camacho] because some of the issues that arose from the FY 2000 budget will be most likely incorporated into the new budget in terms of dollar figures,” Mr. Babauta said in a separate interview.

The House panel also intends to work closely with its Senate counterpart to ensure speedy passage of the budget.