MALACAÑANG on Tuesday warned of a possible impasse if lawmakers will insist scrapping Executive Order (EO) No. 128, which temporarily lowered the tariff of fresh, chilled or frozen meat of swine.
In a statement, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Congress has the power to pass a law, which will restrict the power of the President, when it comes to imposing tariff rates, imports or exports pursuant to Sec. 28 par 2, Art VI of the Constitution.
However, he said the President may veto any particular item or items in such appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill.
Members of the Senate are pushing to scrap EO 128, which they deem detrimental to the local hog industry as it will flood the market with imported pork.
“The Palace respects the call of some lawmakers to revoke Executive Order No 128,” Roque said.
“However, given the importance of the issue, the Executive and the Legislative branches can work together in protecting the interest of the stakeholders such as consumers and our hog raisers alike,” he added.
Lawmakers have repeatedly aired their concerns against EO 128 before it was issued by Duterte last week.