President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vetoed three provisions in the P5.268-trillion 2023 national budget, Malacañang said on Wednesday.
One of the vetoed provisions is the use by the Department of Education of the revolving fund of DepEd TV.
DepEd TV served as the agency’s platform for multimedia classes at the height of the coronavirus pandemic when learning shifted strictly online. It also aired quick tips, updating students on Covid-19 safety protocols.
Marcos said there is no law authorizing the agency to establish a revolving fund for the said purpose.
“DepEd TV is not a business-type activity of the DepEd, which may be considered within the contemplation of the General Provision on Revolving Funds in the FY (Fiscal Year) 2023 GAA (General Appropriations Act), which permits the establishment of a revolving fund from receipts derived from business-type activities,” he said.
Another measure Marcos rejected was the Department of Labor and Employment-National Labor Relations Commission’s income.
The President argued that the subject income is already part of the revenue and financing sources of the FY 2023 National Expenditure Program he earlier submitted to Congress pursuant to the mandate under Section 22, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution.
The third item vetoed was the line on the tourism campaign slogan.
Marcos said the DoT is mandated by law to be the primary government agency for the planning, programming, coordinating, and implementation of development and promotion efforts of the country’s tourism industry, both domestically and globally.
Marcos signed the 2023 GAA on December 16.
