Social and political criticisms
Some Senators: Joker, Miriam and Lacson say it is unconstitutional; even constitution expert Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ says so. However looking at Section 25 (5)of Article VI says it is:
No law shall be passed authorizing any transfer
of appropriations; however, the President,
the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the Hou
se of Representatives, the Chief Justice of
the Supreme Court, and the heads of Constitutional
Commissions may, by law, be authorized
to augment any item in the general appropriations l
aw for their respective offices from
savings in other items of their respective appropri
ations.
Atty Mel Sta Maria who teaches at Ateneo Law School thinks it is constitutional (At Interaksyon) Fr. Bernas may have forgotten, the "however" provision
Sec Ricky Carandang says DAP is constitutional - Interaksyon
