MANILA – The Senate and House of Representatives are eyeing to ratify the 2019 national budget today as they hold their respective sessions before going on a three-month break.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said on Wednesday evening that this was the agreement among senators who met for close to two hours to try to iron out the contentious points in the budget.
House Committee on Appropriations chairman Rolando Andaya Jr., for his part, said the budget will be approved today and could be send for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature next week.
The members of the bicameral committee are set to meet this morning “to review and sign the small bicam report” prepared by Senate finance committee chairwoman Loren Legarda and Andaya.
The government is currently operating on a reenacted budget after the passage of the proposed P3.7-trillion budget for 2019 was delayed by allegations of “insertions” by each chamber.
Meanwhile, despite the strong opposition of Sen. Panfilo Lacson, the billions allotted for the individual amendments of congressmen and some senators were retained in the 2019 budget.
“The ratification is scheduled on Friday. I have manifested my negative vote this early, and I’m preparing a long explanation of my dissenting vote,” Lacson said./PN
