Legislature's fund freeze cancels 15,000 mooncake orders from Taiwan's sheltered workshops

Taiwan's legislature has frozen the Presidential Office's discretionary funds, a move that has resulted in the cancellation of 15,000 mooncake orders from 37 sheltered workshops and sparked public outcry.

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I still see people questioning: 'Are the state affairs expenses used to buy mooncakes?'

Media personality Huang Wei-han criticized lawmakers for their apparent disbelief and subsequent claims of ignorance regarding the impact on these workshops. He emphasized that purchasing mooncakes from sheltered workshops using discretionary funds has been a consistent practice for years under various administrations, including those of former presidents Ma Ying-jeou and Tsai Ing-wen, and the current president, Lai Ching-te.

Huang cited specific figures, noting that presidents have annually spent between NT$4 million and NT$7 million on such purchases. He pointed out that the Presidential Office's intention to continue this practice with a budget of nearly NT$5 million for the current year was met with legislative opposition. Huang questioned why lawmakers would express disbelief and then claim surprise at the consequences after freezing the funds.

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This practice has been going on for many years.

He further drew a parallel to the administrative expenses of the Executive Yuan, suggesting that if these funds, used for the premier's travel and disaster relief, were cut, it would directly impede their work. Huang argued that while it's understandable that cutting such funds might limit the ability to provide immediate relief, claiming it would prevent the premier from traveling to disaster areas entirely is an overstatement.

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So I said it has been going on for many years; so, when the Presidential Office clearly stated that it also wanted to purchase nearly 5 million this year (continuing the previous year's expenses), I don't understand why the legislators have anything to 'disbelieve'?

Huang concluded by advocating for clear reasoning and a commitment to what is right, suggesting this approach would garner greater public support. He defined the "Republic of China Taiwan faction" as those who firmly defend the ROC while loving Taiwan, urging them to uphold correct actions and swiftly correct mistakes.

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And after cutting, they say, 'I don't know (or I'm not sure) it will affect the sheltered workshops.'