Lacson: 'Pork barrel' should be used to fund free tuition for SUCs

Lacson: 'Pork barrel' should be used to fund free tuition for SUCs

Erwin Colcol/ALG, GMA News
News
07 August 2017
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Senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday suggested the removal of "pork barrel" funds from the 2018 national budget and instead use it to finance the recently-passed law providing free tuition for state universities and colleges (SUCs).

In an interview with radio dzBB, Lacson said Congress should look for ways to fund the free tuition for public college and university students, now that there is already an implementing law for it.

"Walang nilagay ang Malacañang [na budget], so Congress na ang maghahanap na pang-pondo para sa free tuition dahil may basehan na, may batas," he said.

The senator, however, expressed concerned that the funds for this law may be sourced from agencies that perform vital functions.

"Huwag natin bawasan yung ahensya na nangangailangan ng pondo," he said.

Lacson suggested to reallocate parts of discretionary funds of senators and congressmen.

"Sa pag-aaral namin, ito gusto ko rin i-take up sa budget deliberations, pina-finalize pa namin, pero may kongresista na nakakuha ng P5 billion, may kongresista na nakakuha ng P6 billion. Individual ito na pork barrel," Lacson said, referring to the budget from last year.

"Kung saan-saan kinukuha ito at pina-part na nila sa mga ahensya na kausap na nila yung mga head agencies. Ito ay the usual, call it any name you want pero in my book, pork barrel pa rin 'yan," he added.

"Ang hope lang sana, alisin na lang yung mga pork ng mga kongresista at mga senador at yun na lang yung ilaan budget para sa free tuition," he continued.

In November 2013, the Supreme Court declared "pork barrel" funds as unconstitutional. —Erwin Colcol/ALG, GMA News















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