Like the ones before it, the proposed P3.767-trillion national budget for 2018 is laden with “billions of pesos” in pork barrel funds, according to Sen. Panfilo Lacson. Even in 2018, there is pork there,” Lacson told reporters as he pledged to scrutinize the House version, called General Appropriations Bill (GAB). The Supreme Court has outlawed pork barrel funds. Pork insertions are also inserted in the National Expenditure Program as presented by Malacañang. “Is DSWD also financing students?” Lacson asked, prompting Sen. Loren Legarda, who sponsored the 2018 GAA on the floor, to say that the budget would fund school-related expenses of indigent families.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 05, 2017 23:26 UTC