Sotto fears budget won't reach Senate until Nov. 5

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Thursday said he was bothered by the possibility that the proposed budget for 2021 would not be transmitted by the House of Representatives to the upper chamber until November 5.

"We have a more pressing problem right now because I am told by somebody from the House that they are only submitting [the budget to the Senate] on November 5," Sotto told his colleagues, deviating from the discussion on the corporate income tax reform bill during session.

"That's the same thing. That's the same proposal of [former] Speaker Cayetano. If that's the case, we'll still be delayed. I think any of us who would be able to get in touch with the leadership in the House, tell them that we need it before October 30," he added.

If the lower chamber approves the bill on final reading this Friday, it will only take them about seven days to print, Sotto underscored.

Amendments after 3rd reading?

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the delay could be connected to a scheme.

"If they will pass it on third reading tomorrow, I cannot understand why  they would transmit the GAB to us on November 5. Unless, may plano na naman silang mag-amend after the third reading?" he said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon agreed with Lacson and said it is a "practice" in the House.

"Yes, Senator Ping. [That's] exactly what they would do. They will pass it on third reading on record and then in the process of printing, they will accept amendments from individual members," he said.

"That is why they cannot present a printed copy on third reading when they vote on it because they will amend. That's their practice," he added.

Senate committee on finance chairperson Sonny Angara told his colleagues they would again be facing a very tight schedule if that will be the case.

"Kapag November 5 or November 6 po makarating dito sa Senado, the staff will need to study at least a week and even the vice chairs would need time to study it," Angara said.

He implored Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri to convince his counterpart in the lower chamber to make an earlier submission.

Sotto hopes Senator Christopher "Bong" Go could relay this new development to Malacanang.

"I wish Senator Bong Go is listening so that this issue will reach the Palace," said Sotto.

'Best effort'

Sotto, after a few hours of airing his concern, said he was able to talk to Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

"I requested him to help facilitate the transmittal to us [on] the 28th [of] October at the most and that is 10 days after they pass it on third reading. He promised best effort," he said in a message to reporters.

Earlier in the day, the Senate decided to inform the House that it will have an early resumption of session on November 9, with the assumption that the congressmen will pass the budget on Friday and transmit it to the upper chamber as soon as possible.

As a rule, the budget bill must emanate from the House before the Senate can discuss it in plenary.—LDF, GMA News