Arroyo confident House will pass 2019 nat’l budget on time

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday dispelled the possibility of a reenacted national budget for 2019.

“I don’t think so,” she said in an interview when asked if she thinks Congress would fail to pass the proposed P3.757-trillion by yearend, which would result in the reinstitution of the P3.8-trillion 2018 budget.

The interview happened on the sidelines of her visit and medical mission to more than 800 families in Northbay South-Proper, Navotas City.

The Pampanga 2nd District congresswoman also said the Senate and the House of Representatives had already conducted a pre-bicameral conference panel meeting to tackle next year’s appropriations.

“Sila Nonoy (Rolando) Andaya ang namamahala doon, ‘yung Majority Leader. Pero nagkaroon na sila ng pre-bicam kahapon o noong makalawa,” she said.

The chamber has yet to pass on final reading House Bill No. 8169 or the General Appropriations Bill, but Andaya earlier said they have enough time to finish it by December.   /kga

RELATED STORY

Andaya says 2019 national budget on Duterte’s desk by December