Press Release
April 12, 2019

Statement of Senator Win Gatchalian on the possible veto of the 2019 GAB

There can be no winners here if ever President Rodrigo Duterte decides to veto the 2019 budget. Based on our internal study, should the President veto the 2019 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) and the government continues to operate on a reenacted budget for the whole year, the country's Gross Domestic Product for 2019 may slow to 5.6 percent from the original forecast of 6.7 percent - equivalent to a loss of ₱94.25 billion.

Infrastructure projects, particularly those that are slated to start this year, will be put on hold - to the detriment of all Filipinos. It also bears stressing that the delays of these infrastructure projects will also mean lesser available jobs. Not only that, social safety programs like the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) given to poorest of poor Filipinos will be adversely affected as well.

Given the immense adverse impact of a reenacted budget on our economy, I hope the President would exercise his power to line veto illegal items in the budget instead of vetoing the entire GAB. Maaring may mga bagay sa budget na hindi mapagkasunduan ang Kamara at ang Senado pero sigurado ako na lahat kami ay gustong maisabatas na ang 2019 GAB sa lalong madaling panahon.

News Latest News Feed