Erap gov't left P70-B unsettled obligations.

The deposed Estrada administration left behind some P70 billion in unpaid commitments that is expected to put more financial pressure on the cash-strapped government.

Finance Secretary-designate Alberto G. Romulo told BusinessWorld in Malacanang that initial figures indicate the previous administration failed to pay as much as P70 billion in obligations which were supposed to be settled by December 31, 2000.

This includes unpaid salaries as well as obligations to contractors with government projects. "But I still have to get the details," Mr. Romulo said, adding that a team is now reviewing the fiscal position of the National Government.

"They told …