House to extend session till Friday to ratify 2019 budget

February 5, 2019

The chairman of the House committee on appropriations Tuesday said a ratified-2019 P3.757-trillion national budget will be ready for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature next week as the House of Representatives will hold session until Friday. 

Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, Jr., who chairs the panel and head of the House contingent to the bicameral conference committee of the national budget, said the bicam will approve the national budget Wednesday for Congress’ ratification before adjourning Friday.

“All talks of a reenacted budget are baseless. The 2019 national budget will be ready for the President's signature next week,” Andaya, a former budget secretary, said.

Akbayan Partylist Rep. Tom Villarin revealed there was an advisory to lawmakers by acting House Secretary General Roberto Maling  the House will hold sessions until Friday.

“We wish to inform Your Honor that the House of Representatives will have sessions until Friday, 8 February 2019. Roll call will be conducted immediately after the daily Call to Order at 3 pm. Approval of measures on 2nd and 3rd reading, as well as the ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on the 2019 budget, are scheduled to be taken up during this period,” according to the advisory of Maling.

Andaya said Diokno should submit all documents they have been demanding as he accused the secretary last Monday of releasing funds from 2017 national budget savings allegedly without the knowledge of Congress and signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Documents in our possession show that for 2017, a total of P370 billion was generated in savings. This amount was at the full disposal of Sec. Diokno,” Andaya said. DMS