Standing firm on its original stance, the Cabinet yesterday dismissed opposition lawmakers' criticism that it violated laws to plan ahead for the yet-to-be-approved NT$50 billion job-creation project.
The legislature is scheduled to conduct another round of cross-party negotiations tomorrow in the hope of reaching a consensus on the allocation of the budget. If all fails, a political showdown is inevitable and would likely take place in early May.
Citing article 26 of the Government Procurement Act (
"To save time, it's a long established practice for the government to line up contractors for local infrastructure projects before receiving the budget," she said.
Kuo added that the Cabinet will not and should not enter the bidding process or sign any contract with the winning contractor before the legislature approves the budget of the project.
According to Kuo, such a practice may save the government two to three months for small projects and more than four months for larger projects.
Kuo made the remark yesterday morning in response to opposition lawmakers' criticism that the Cabinet violates the law by lining up constructors for local infrastructure projects before receiving the budget.
The lawmakers also said that the legislature disrespects its own authority by doing so.
During a closed-door meeting with DPP county commissioners and city mayors on Sunday to solicit their support for the NT$50 billion project, Premier Yu Shyi-kun told regional leaders that local governments can find contractors for local infrastructure projects which are urgent and matter greatly to people's lives.
In anticipation of flooding during the rainy season, the Cabinet plans to designate contractors for an NT$1.4 billion mudslide prevention project and an NT$4.2 billion flooding prevention project.
Both of the projects are included in the NT$50 billion job-creation program, composed of 100 public construction projects.
The KMT legislative caucus yesterday held a press conference berating the government's plan, asserting it would break the law and disrespect the legislature.
"The Cabinet's behavior is tantamount to that of a hijacker," said KMT Legislator Chi Kuo-tung (紀國棟). "The Cabinet has no right to name contractors for the project because the bill and its budget are still pending final approval by the legislature."
If the Cabinet cannot wait until the legislature approves the budget to award the contractor the project, Chi said, it should request the president promulgate a state of emergency or use its own secondary emergency fund.
"I'm curious to know why the Cabinet wants the money so desperately, while the legislature has approved its annual budget request, including an NT$9.8 billion flood-prevention project and an NT$1.5 project to remodel hazardous classrooms," he said.
Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-ping (王金平) echoed Chi's theme.
"It is indubitably clear that the government cannot start the bidding process for any public construction project unless its budget has been approved by the legislature," he said. "If the Cabinet insists on doing so, it will have to shoulder the consequences entailed."
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