(File photo) MANILA - Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel has asked Malacanang to include in the proposed 2023 national budget the extra PHP25 billion needed to pay for the PHP500 increase in the monthly pension of indigent senior citizens. "We are hoping that the PHP25 billion will be factored into the budget bill that the Palace is scheduled to submit to Congress on August 22," Pimentel said in a news release on Sunday. "Government has no choice but to provide funds to pay for the pension increase." "We have to augment the allowance of poor seniors so that they can meet their daily subsistence, including health maintenance needs, considering the soaring cost of food and other basic commodities," he added. Pimentel said under Section 25 of the Constitution, "Congress may not increase the appropriations recommended by the President for the operation of the government as specified in the budget." "Congress can cut the budget, but we can'