Four re-enacted budgets in the past—all approved during elections years and all under the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Arroyo is now Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Senator Panfilo Lacson noted these coincidences on Monday amid fears of another re-enacted budget in 2019.
“Quite interestingly, the national gov’t operated under its previous years’ budgets in 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010 – all election years and all under the leadership of former Pres GMA,” Lacson said in a text message.
“So, it may not be a mere coincidence that under Speaker Arroyo, and the midterm elections next year, all indications point to another re-enacted budget,” he pointed out.
The House has already assured the passage of the 2019 budget by November 28 on third and final reading.
READ: House to approve 2019 nat’l budget on November 28 – panel exec
With the House’s target approval, the Senate leadership expressed doubts it could still pass the 2019 budget before Congress goes on Christmas break on December 14.
Lacson earlier claimed budget approval in the House has been delayed because of so called “pork barrel” funds.
“The delay is caused by unfinished individual insertions in the 2019 House version of general appropriations bill,” said the senator. /kga
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