TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Presidential Office Spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui (郭雅慧) said Sunday that lawmakers had used the budget as a political tool by making the entire NT$30 million (US$941,000) presidential discretionary fund unavailable.
CNA reported that the opposition-led legislature passed the 2026 central government budget on Friday. Lawmakers cut NT$10 million from the fund and froze the remaining NT$20 million.
The frozen NT$20 million can only be released after President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) promulgates five laws listed in the budget resolution. The laws concern government revenue allocation, military dependents’ housing, ill-gotten political assets, satellite broadcasting, and the organization of the legislature.
The Presidential Office must then submit a written report to a legislative committee and receive its approval before the money can be used. Kuo said those conditions are unrelated to the purpose of the fund or normal oversight of government spending, per SETN News.
She said linking the fund to the promulgation of laws was an attempt to influence the president’s exercise of constitutional powers. Budget oversight should instead focus on whether spending is necessary, reasonable, and properly used, she said.
The presidential discretionary fund has been included in the government budget since 1949, according to Kuo. Its annual allocation has remained at NT$30 million since 2014 and was not cut or frozen from 2014 through 2024 under the administrations of Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), and Lai, per UDN.
The fund pays for expenses related to the president’s official duties, including visits, awards, receptions, condolences, and financial assistance. It also supports disadvantaged people and social welfare groups, helps victims of major emergencies, and recognizes frontline military and police personnel.
Kuo said lawmakers froze the entire fund for the first time in the 2025 budget, affecting some programs for disadvantaged groups. This year, they again made the full NT$30 million unavailable by cutting one-third of the fund and freezing the rest, per FTV News.
She urged lawmakers not to blur the line between legislative budget oversight and the president’s constitutional responsibilities.
