WASHINGTON - The US House and Senate Appropriations Committees have voted to maintain foreign military financing (FMF) assistance to the Philippines for fiscal year 2008 steady at $30 million, the same level as that of the previous year, from $11.1 million requested by the Bush administration.

At the same time the committees voted to increase economic support funds (ESF) to the Philippines to $30 million from $25.9 million for the fiscal year which starts Oct.1.

But the committees expressed deep concern with reports of extra-judicial killings by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) and warned of possible repercussions. The committees directed the State Department to report not later than 90 days after enactment of HR 2764, the department’s foreign appropriations bill, “on the status of investigations into extrajudicial killings and gross violations of human rights by the AFP and the PNP."

House bill HR 2764 said FMF “not to exceed $30 million,” the same level as that of FY 2007, may be made available to the Philippines in 2008.

It said an additional $2 million may be made available when the Secretary of State reports to the Committees on Appropriations that “the Philippine military is not engaging in acts of intimidation or violence against members of legal organizations who advocate for human rights." The administration’s budget proposals for fiscal year 2008 seek to reduce deficits each year and balance the budget by 2012.

The proposals provide a starting point for negotiations with Congress which has a final say over government expenditures. But there is no guarantee the recommendations of the appropriations committees will remain untouched when the issue is brought to the floor of the House and the Senate for final voting. It was not known why the FMF program to the Philippines in the State Department budget was slashed to $11.1 million. The program provides grants for the acquisition of US defense equipment, services and training. For fiscal year 2007 the State Department proposed $17.6 million in FMF to the Philippines which Congress voted to increase to $30 million.

Last March Sen. Barbara Boxer, chairman of the Senate foreign relations subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific affairs, chastised the Arroyo administration for not taking “sufficient action to address unresolved killings" and warned strings may be attached to US military aid to the Philippines to safeguard human rights. The House committee in a report on its web site said it expected a portion of the ESF funds to be used to support peace efforts between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, including through the United States Institute for Peace.

“The committee urges the administration to request additional support if a permanent peace accord is achieved," the statement said.

Other recommendations include $2,000,000 in international narcotics control and law enforcement (INCLE) funding for the Philippines, which is $850,000 above the Bush administration’s request.
By Jose Katigbak

by Rodney J. Jaleco
WASHINGTON D.C. A key Philippine ally in the U.S. Congress assures the country will get the help it needs to fight terrorism, notwithstanding a State Department proposal to reduce military aid by nearly 60 percent next year.

“It’s extremely important that the United States stands by the Philippines in its fight in the war on terror,” California Congressman Darrell Issa (R-California) told ABS-CBN News. “I’m sure we’ll make sure we fully fund and I wouldn’t be surprised if end up with supplemental money,” he added. Issa is co-chairman of the Philippine Friendship Caucus, a group of about 80 congressmen from both the Democratic and Republican parties that have been supporting Philippine initiatives in the U.S. House of Representatives. The State Department had recommended cutting Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to the Philippines from $29.7 million to $11.1 million, and the International Military Exchange Training (IMET) from $2.9 million to $1.5 million in Fiscal 2008.

But Philippine Ambassador Willy Gaa told ABS-CBN News they are working to reverse the State Department proposal by working with allies in the U.S. Congress.
Under the American budget process, the Executive Department submits a so-called “President’s budget” that sets spending levels for various agencies and programs. Congress then adopts a resolution that is a response to the “President’s budget”. Traditionally, the House initiates appropriations. After approval, it moves to the Senate where they usually undergo amendments. Differences are resolved by a bicameral conference. The final version goes to the President for approval; he has 10 days to sign or veto the bill.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved HR 2764 or the “State and Foreign Operations Act” last June 22 without setting a spending ceiling for Philippine military aid. The Senate appropriations committee reported the measure out last 28 and is now awaiting floor vote.