Lawmaker hits hasty approval of 2012 budget By Charlie V. Manalo 10/13/2011

Lawmaker hits hasty approval of 2012 budget

By Charlie V. Manalo 10/13/2011

A member of the majority bloc in the House of Representatives yesterday scored his colleagues for approving the proposed 2012 General Appropriations Act (GAA) on third and final reading Tuesday even if they haven’t scrutinized the 1,599-page measure yet.

“The General Appropriations Act is the single most important bill passed by Congress annually, affecting the life of each and every Filipino,” Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said. “However, the approval was done in undue haste.”

“Yes, the GAA was certified urgent, but no public calamity or emergency was stated,” said Tiangco, the most vocal member of the majority bloc in the House.

Tiangco added Section 58 of the present Rules of the House specifically states that “printed copies thereof in its final form are distributed to the members three days before its passage, except when the President certifies to the necessity of its immediate enactment to meet a public calamity or emergency.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20111013met3.html