Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Wendel Avisado has resigned from his position due to medical reasons, Malacañang confirmed Friday (Aug. 13).
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte has already accepted the Budget secretary’s resignation. Avisado was on a two-week medical leave starting last Aug. 2 after his battle with COVID-19.
Undersecretary Tina Rose Marie Canda has been designated as the officer-in-charge of the department.
House Appropriations panel Chairperson Eric Yap said the DBM is set to submit the proposed 2022 national budget to Congress on Aug. 23.
Yap said Avisado’s resignation “will not affect” the budget hearing.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon suggested to Senate President Vicente Sotto III that Congress “go on marathon hearings and sessions” to prevent a reenacted national budget in an election year.
“The President’s 2022 budget [has] not been submitted 20 days after the SONA, which is behind schedule, if we are to compare with prior years. The pandemic, and the fact that the campaign period starts sets in shortly, gives Congress very little time to scrutinize the 2022 budget,” he said in a statement.– AG- jlo/rir
