Duterte, Ungab criticize blank entries in GAB report

Former President Rodrigo Duterte and Representative Isidro Ungab of Davao City's 3rd District have raised concerns over blank entries in the bicameral conference committee report for the General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

The report contained unspecified amounts for certain agriculture sector projects, such as small-scale irrigation programs.

While the final budget law included specific figures for these items, critics argue that this lack of transparency undermines lawmakers' role in approving funding allocations.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dismissed Duterte's claims, asserting that GAA provisions must specify project details and funding amounts.

The presence of blanks suggests unauthorized individuals filled them with final amounts before the President signed the budget into law.

Experts like JC Punongbayan propose comparing the bicam report to the enrolled bill and increasing transparency in the budget process to address these issues.