Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) — The Palace expressed support for the Commission on Human Rights’ move to pursue legislative measures for the establishment of Human Rights Institute after President Rodrigo Duterte vetoed it in this year’s ₱5.024 trillion national budget.
“Yes, by all means, if they want to pursue legislation, then let them do so,” said Duterte’s acting spokesman, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Wednesday.
Nograles went on to clarify why the chief executive issued a direct veto on the institute’s creation, emphasizing the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) also looks into whether budget was requested for it in the first place.
“Mayroon tayong budget call na isinasagawa,” he explained. “Dapat doon po sa budget call pa lamang ay nire-request na po ito. But if pinapasok or ini-insert sa budget, but if it is deemed a rider, then we do not want riders in the budget because the budget, as with any law, pinagbabawalan po ‘yung mga riders.”
[Translation: We do what is called a budget call where projects should be requested by then. But if this is just inserted in the budget, but if it is deemed a rider, then we do not want riders in the budget because the budget, as with any law, forbids riders.]
“It’s much better if they pursue legislation separately from a national budget,” Nograles added.
The CHR on Tuesday said it will keep pursuing the institute’s establishment through further discussions with the DBM, along with Congress for proposed legislation.
The institute will not cause “additional burden” to the state as it will use the body’s current resources, it added.
