Palace says proposed 2019 budget could be passed by February

January 17, 2019

Malacanang said on Thursday that the proposed budget for 2019 could likely be approved by Congress by February.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in his recent talks with Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, "she mentioned that most likely it (proposed budget) will pass."

"She (Arroyo) said it's almost passed," he said.

But asked if the Palace would pressure Congress to immediately approve the P3.757 trillion budget, Panelo said, "It's not needed. I am sure they will be passing it. They are all concerned with the services, the infrastructures that will be affected."

He added that from what he heard, the proposed budget could be passed "most like(ly) first or second week of February."

The passage of the General Appropriations Bill for 2019 has been delayed due to the fight between some members of the House of Representatives and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

But the Palace blamed the House, particularly some lawmakers, why the passage of the budget bill was not enacted into law last December.

The government has been working under a re-enacted budget. Celerina Monte/DMS