Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 10) — Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said on Friday that national concern is more important than the government budget in justifying the Senate’s recall of the proposed fund of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) over issues of genuine citizen documents issued to non-Filipino citizens.
“This is even more important than a national budget for one year… Inaatras natin para to find out anong origin nito (We’re backtracking to find out the origin of the) [false documents],” Pimentel told reporters on Friday.
In its recent plenary, the Senate recalled its approval of PSA budget after Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa raised the Department of Justice’s information that some Chinese citizens obtained genuine Philippine passports and birth certificates.
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, who sponsors the Department of Foreign Affairs’ budget, said law enforcement agencies are investigating the foreign citizens who posed as persons with disabilities.
Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said the issue is of national concern, which prompted the Senate to recall the PSA budget.
“I will make a formal move to reconsider the submission of the budget of the PSA and direct the LBRMO (Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office ) to issue the necessary notice and inform the body of the schedule of the PSA budget discussion,” Villanueva said.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri was initially hesitant to recall the PSA budget as it could become a “precedent” for other agencies.
Pimentel said the PSA case is an exception.
“PSA, it deserves a more thorough interpellation on its budget and performance..its performance over the years… I don’t think this process will be abused,” he said.
