Senate sent 2022 nat’l budget to Malacañang for Duterte’s approval — Sotto

The proposed 2022 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) containing the P5-trillion national budget is now up for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.

This comes after Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Thursday told reporters that he already signed the budget books and it will be sent to Malacañang for the President's review and approval.

The budget measure was signed by the Senate chief at 2:25 p.m.

“Sending it to [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte],” Sotto said in a Viber message to reporters.

In a text message to GMA News Online, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said he signed the 2022 GAB on Wednesday.

“Yes. Signed it yesterday and it will be sent to PRRD today,” Velasco said when asked about the signing of the budget books.

On Wednesday, Sotto disclosed that the signing of the 2022 national budget is scheduled on December 28.

Department of Budget and Management officer-in-charge Tina Rose Canda also said that they are expecting Duterte to sign the budget measure next week.

“We expect the 2022 budget measure will be signed before the year ends so it’s between after Christmas until the 29th. These are the days that are open,” she said at a Palace press briefing on Wednesday.

Before the year ends, the president should sign the proposed 2022 national budget. Otherwise, the government will operate under a reenacted budget or the national budget crafted and approved for the fiscal year 2021. — Hana Bordey/RSJ, GMA News