Zhang Dunhan explains the Executive Yuan’s counter-signing of the Unmanned Vehicle Regulations: There are things to do and things not to be done to safeguard constitutional government and budgetary rights

Secretary-General of the Executive Yuan Chang Tun-han announced today (11th) that he would “countersign” the blue version of the Unmanned Vehicle Ordinance. However, President Zhuo Yongtai twice this week “not countersigned” 8 bills, emphasizing that bills proposed by the Legislative Yuan cannot be accompanied by the budget. The power of countersignature is a defense mechanism for the cabinet to assist the president. He must act as a “constitutional gatekeeper.” Is the Executive Yuan’s countersignature of the Unmanned Vehicle Ordinance a “double standard”? How to justify yourself? Zhang Dunhan emphasized that the Executive Yuan "does something and refrains from doing something." If it does something, it is responsible for public opinion, and if it does not do something, it is responsible for the Constitution.

Zhang Dunhan said that the Unmanned Vehicle Ordinance happened to be the 210th bill since Zhuo Kui took office, of which 8 were not countersigned and 202 bills were countersigned. These eight bills that are not countersigned are the bottom line of constitutional government. This also proves that the Executive Yuan "does something and doesn't do something." What it does is responsible for public opinion, and what it doesn't do is responsible for the Constitution.

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Zhang Dunhan pointed out that similarly, in this case of the Unmanned Vehicle Regulations, the countersigning has done something, but what has not done is that the Executive Yuan will still defend the Executive Yuan’s budget power, policy formation power, and protect national secrets in accordance with the provisions of the bill. What the Executive Yuan does or does not do will not cross the boundaries of constitutional government, nor should the Executive Yuan give up its constitutional responsibilities.

Regarding the Executive Yuan's previous emphasis on the stability of special budgets, after the counter-signature of the opposition version, the budget returned to the annual budget. How to avoid the instability caused by the attack and defense of the general budget? Zhang Dunhan cited Shohei Ohtani as an example and said that in 2023, Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year, US$700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which included delayed payments. This was because the team was considering its financial capabilities. If you want to recruit a top star on the court, you must use a long-term contract and consider your own financial capabilities.

Zhang Dunhan said that when returning to national defense, using special budgets means long-term contracts and large quantities. Now that the regulations have returned to annual budgets, it is like asking for a Shohei Otani. He is signed every year and he will become a free agent at the end of each year. Teams that hope to recruit him must negotiate with him earlier and negotiate a contract with him earlier. The same principle applies when we return to the National Assembly. Since the Legislative Yuan has decided to use the annual budget to handle matters, "the bell needs to be tied," so the Legislative Yuan should review the budget as scheduled and with high quality.

How to resolve concerns about the formation and leakage of the "Strategic Special Committee"? Zhang Dunhan said that Article 12, Item 4 of the Regulations clearly stipulates that the staff operations of the "Special Strategy Committee" shall be handled by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The law also clearly stipulates that its composition, tasks and operating methods shall be determined by the Executive Yuan. Since the third reading of the bill, the Executive Yuan has also intensively invited the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Economic Affairs to conduct in-depth discussions on the content of the bill.

Zhang Dunhan emphasized that since the operation and composition are determined by the Executive Yuan, the Executive Yuan will establish a set of standard operating procedures to best regulate relevant issues and personnel composition. The key point is that since the committee is under the charge of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, it will focus on industrial development, and the confidential parts will definitely be kept confidential.