Palace sees no need to pressure Congress to pass P3.757-Tr budget ASAP

Malacañang has received assurance from the House leadership that the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget from would soon be approved by Congress. 

Asked whether or not Malacañang would increase the pressure on Congress to immediately pass the General Appropriations Bill, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said there was no need.

"I was with Speaker [Gloria Macapagal] Arroyo. She mentioned that most likely it will pass," Panelo said on Wednesday.

Asked about any need to up the pressure on Congress, Panelo said, “Hindi na kailangan."

"I am sure they will be passing that naman. They are all concerned with the services, the infrastructures that will be affected,” Panelo said.

He said lawmakers were concerned about the delay in the implementation of the salary hike for government employees because the budget bill has yet to be enacted.

House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. has asked the Supreme Court to compel the Department of Budget and Management to release the funds for the salary adjustments pending the approval of the national budget.

The Senate is due to approve the budget bill on third and final reading on Monday next week.

After the approval on third reading, the Senate and House of Representatives will convene the bicameral conference committee to reconcile the disagreeing provisions between the two versions of the bill.

The harmonized version will then be presented for ratification by Congress and sent to Malacañang for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.

The government is currently operating on a reenacted budget due to Congress’ failure to pass the budget before the end of 2018.

Working under a reenacted budget means that the government cannot fund programs specifically appropriated under the proposed 2019 budget.

The re-enacted budget shall remain in force until the proposed 2019 budget bill is enacted. —NB, GMA News