Soco condemns “bicam insertions" on nat'l budget

Cebu Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco has strongly condemned the questionable “bicam insertions” in the national budget, saying such practices should be eradicated as they fuel corruption, undermine the budget process, and erode public trust in government.

- Jonnavie Villa (RAE)

Soco yesterday told reporters that budgetary insertions pushed through bicameral conferences and small committee meetings defeat the purpose of the existing budgetary system, which is designed to ensure transparency and accountability.

"Para nako, kana'ng budget insertions should be stopped, should be taken away. That function should be excluded, and should be eradicated," said the vice governor.

Soco, a seasoned legislator, explained that the budget process is supposed to start, from the city and municipal development councils, move to the provincial and regional development councils, and eventually included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) before becoming part of the General Appropriations Act.

"But karon, there are budgetary insertions through bicameral conferences, through small committee meetings, so it's useless. The entire process is useless," he lamented.