Sotto: P79 billion “realigned” in nat’l budget already ratified by Congress

(Eagle News)–Senator Tito Sotto on Saturday, March 9, revealed what he said was a realignment of P79 billion in the national budget even after it was approved by Congress.

In a radio interview, Sotto without elaborating, said it was “someone inside who tinkered” with the already-ratified budget.

Earlier,  though, Senator Panfilo Lacson already accused the House of Representatives of doing the realignments.

House appropriations chair Rolando Andaya Jr. had said they were merely itemizing the ratified budget, which was supposed to have already been transmitted to the President for his signature.

Echoing Lacson’s  position,  Sotto said such a move to realign was a violation of the Constitution

“I don’t want to face a complaint after 2022 questioning why I certified a GAA [General Appropriations Act] that wasn’t correct,” Sotto said.