President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has vetoed a bill seeking to amend the charter of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), citing concerns that it may conflict with existing laws and adversely impact the government’s fiscal position.

Although President Marcos recognized Congress’ noble intention in crafting the bill, he said he could not ignore the concerns raised by the national agencies.

In his veto message dated April 24, and transmitted to both Houses of Congress, the President noted several issues with the enrolled bill, including the proposed increase of PhP100 billion in authorized capital, which he said could affect the government’s fiscal integrity.

He said that the proposal to use the proceeds from the sale of the allocated lands from the ecozones to accrue mainly to the BCDA is inconsistent with the government’s one-fund policy, limiting its fiscal flexibility in deciding fund utilization for more pressing concerns.

“In addition, the bill antithetically grants to the BCDA the authority to determine alienable and disposable lands, which clearly falls under the mandate of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,” President Marcos said.

At the same time, he said the bill’s language granting land ownership and authority to the BCDA in disposing of lands contradicts Republic v. Heirs of Bernabe, which provides that the state is the beneficial owner of the lands transferred to the BCDA by virtue of Republic Act No. 7227. | PND