Senators have welcomed the House of Representatives’ transmittal of its version of the General Appropriations Bill to the Senate which is expected to be delivered to the President’s table before year’s end.
“Yesterday I was so glad because we received it one day ahead, na kung pwede October 28 (which was supposed to be on October 28, but) we received it October 27,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III shared during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay with Marichu Villanueva program.
“That means we have enough time for our subcommittees to collate everything and to submit everything to the main finance committee,” Sotto added.
The Senate would have to work overtime for the target approval of the bicameral report on December 8.
“Pagka nangyari iyon, 7 days na printing, signing of the enrolled bill of congressional leaders (If it happens, it will take 7 days of printing and signing of the enrolled bill of congressional leaders). So before Christmas, we expect the President to be able to sign it or at the very latest before the end of the year,” Sotto explained.
“Regardless of the constitutional issues involving the House of Representatives’ version of the 2021 budget bill, it is still good that the Senate has enough time to approve our own version, leaving room for the bicameral conference and submission to the President for approval, thus avoiding a re-enacted budget,” Senator Panfilo Lacson stated.
Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Sonny Angara said their target date for the sponsorship and floor deliberations of the proposed budget is on November 10. The Senate will resume its session on November 9, a week earlier than its calendar.
Senator Bong Go said the early resumption of session will expedite the deliberations since the “country cannot afford a reenacted budget.” – Report from Eunice Samonte
