Diokno says lawmakers “matured” enough to pass proposed budget for next year

September 20, 2017

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno expressed belief on Wednesday that Congress will pass the proposed P3.767-trillion budget for next year.

This was despite the warning of some senators that a re-enacted budget for 2018 could be in the offing if the proposed budget for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) would not be restored.

"Knowing the Senate and the House, they will not procrastinate. They will have to decide," he said, adding, "the probability that it will be reenacted (budget for next year) is practically unlikely, highly unlikely."

He said Congress could approve the budget by the end of November.

Diokno said the lawmakers are "matured people" and they know the "art of compromise.

"The consequences of re-enacted budget are disastrous," he warned, citing this would result "uncertainty" in the implementation of the projects and no fund for free education of college students in state education institutions.

He also said the promise of President Rodrigo Duterte to double the salary of the policemen and the soldiers could not be implemented if the government would operate under a re-enacted budget.

The House of Representatives has approved only P1,000 budget for the CHR, Energy Regulatory Commission and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

Some senators have promised to restore the proposed more than P600 million budget for the CHR, a constitutional body.

Under the law, a budget proposal shall come from the House of Representatives. The Senate may adopt, change or substitute the approved budget of the other Chamber.

If there were differences in the versions of both Houses, a bicameral conference  committee is called to reconcile the conflicting provisions of both versions before an enrolled bill is forwarded to Malacanang for President's signing.

If by January next year, Congress fails to pass the new budget, the government will operate under a re-enacted budget. Celerina Monte/DMS