Tolentino cites want of gov’t coordination for Sulu transition fund

Senate Majority Chief Francis “Tol” Tolentino careworn the significance of coordination amongst numerous authorities our bodies to make sure that the wants of Sulu are addressed. The senator has been lobbying for the creation of a Sulu transition fund, following the Supreme Court docket order that eliminated the province from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Area in Muslim Mindanao. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Senate Majority Chief Francis “Tol” Tolentino stated that his proposal for the creation of a Sulu transition fund has reached the Workplace of the President and the Division of Funds and Administration (DBM).

On the identical time, Tolentino careworn the necessity for coordination amongst numerous authorities our bodies to make sure that the wants of Sulu are correctly addressed – whereas additionally complying with the latest Supreme Court docket order that eliminated Sulu from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Area in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Within the senator’s common radio program ‘Usapang Tol,’ BARMM Cupboard Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun assured Tolentino that the area’s personnel primarily based in Sulu will proceed to obtain their salaries from September 16 onwards, noting that that is already allotted in BARMM’s basic appropriations this yr.

“From September 16 onwards, we are going to nonetheless launch [their salaries] dahil naka-budget na po lahat. Pero mayroon lang tayong papipirmahan na doc of endeavor, primarily explaining kung ano ang implication ng pagpapasahod, given the Supreme Court docket determination,” Pendatun stated.

(Beginning September 16, we are going to proceed to launch their salaries as a result of every part is already budgeted. Nonetheless, we are going to want them to signal a doc of endeavor, primarily explaining the implications of disbursing salaries in gentle of the Supreme Court docket determination.)

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READ: Tolentino brings up fiscal downside for Sulu province following SC ruling

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Tolentino welcomed the event, and likewise instructed that the BARMM duly advise the Fee on Audit (COA) on its actions to keep away from potential problems.

In response, Pendatun stated that the BARMM management had been referring to Tolentino’s statements within the Senate to information their dealing with of the matter, pending a transparent directive coming from the nationwide authorities.

Pendatun shared that beneath the block grant given to BARMM, about P9.08 billion is allotted for Sulu province. He added that the BARMM management, whereas saddened by the choice, is finding out potential methods to intervene within the SC case.

To recall, it was Tolentino who first raised in plenary the executive and monetary implications of the Excessive Court docket’s ruling on Sulu’s removing from BARMM. Additionally, he has persistently requested authorities companies to reveal their plans to help the province in the course of the committee deliberations on the proposed 2025 finances.

The DBM has dedicated that it’s going to quickly launch a directive in relation to Tolentino’s proposal. This was throughout final week’s Senate listening to on the proposed finances for 2025 of the Division of the Inside and Native Authorities.