Palace confident Congress can pass budget, TRAIN before year ends

November 28, 2017

Malacanang expressed confidence on Tuesday the proposed 2018 budget and the tax reform measure could be passed before the end of the year.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said while there is no formal request yet for extending martial law in Mindanao, should there be a need this could also be done.

"As I see it, all those three could be done, there has been long debate already in the Senate," Roque said when asked if the Palace is confident that these three could be done within one month.

Roque stressed the need to pass the budget and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) to finance huge infrastructure projects or the "Build, Build, Build" program of the government.

Malacanang is pushing for a P3.767-trillion budget for next year.

Roque said if there is a need to extend martial law declaration in Mindanao, this is also a "priority."

The session of Congress will adjourn from Dec. 16, 2017 to Jan. 14, 2018. Celerina Monte/DMS