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Duterte certifies as urgent P4.5-trillion nat'l budget for 2021

By VIRGIL LOPEZ,GMA News

President Rodrigo Duterte has certified as urgent the proposed P4.506-trillion national budget for 2021, Malacañang said Friday.

Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque said the President made the decision as he called for a special session of Congress from October 13 to 16 to ensure the passage of the national spending bill.

In a letter to Congress on Friday, Duterte said the “immediate enactment” of the budget bill was necessary to ensure continuous government operations after 2020, strengthen the country’s COVID-19 response, and support initiatives towards national economic recovery.

Once a bill is certified as urgent, Congress can skip the three-day rule, allowing lawmakers to pass a measure on third reading immediately after it is passed on second reading.

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The President’s actions happened three days after Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano suspended the session of the House of Representative until November 16 without passing the chamber’s final version of the general appropriations bill, raising concerns that the budget might not be passed before the end of the year.

Cayetano’s move came amid a simmering leadership battle with Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco. The two congressmen agreed in July last year to a term-sharing agreement brokered by the President.

On Thursday, Duterte reminded lawmakers to resolve their leadership stalemate and pass the national budget. He also said that he would step if he sees a delay in the approval of the budget that will derail government service.

Next year’s budget is expected to fund measures aimed at improving the country’s healthcare system, ensuring food security, increasing investments in public and digital infrastructure and helping communities cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.  -NB, GMA News