Marcos vetoes bill amending BCDA charter

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 the proposed amendments could conflict with existing laws and negatively impact the government’s fiscal position.

While recognizing the "noble intention" behind the bill, Marcos emphasized that the concerns raised by national agencies could not be overlooked. His veto message, dated 24 April, has already been transmitted to both Houses of Congress.

One of the main issues raised by Marcos was the proposed increase of P100 billion in the BCDA's authorized capital, which he argued could undermine the government's fiscal integrity. He also expressed concern that the bill’s provision allowing the proceeds from the sale of allocated lands from ecozones to mainly benefit the BCDA would be inconsistent with the government's one-fund policy, limiting its flexibility in prioritizing urgent funding needs.

Marcos further pointed out that the bill’s provision granting the BCDA the authority to determine alienable and disposable lands contradicted the mandate of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Additionally, he argued that the bill’s granting of land ownership and disposal authority to the BCDA was in conflict with the ruling in Republic v. Heirs of Bernabe, which asserts that the state remains the beneficial owner of lands transferred to the BCDA under Republic Act No. 7227.