Malacañang on Thursday said it is convinced that the proposed national budget for 2019 will be passed before lawmakers go on a Christmas break next month.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the remark after some senators raised the possibility of a reenacted budget for January even if the House of Representatives approved its 2019 budget version this week.
“We’re only speculating that it will not be passed. We have submitted a budget proposal, so it’s the House’ call,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
When asked if the Palace is convinced that the proposed P3.757-trillion general appropriations will be passed on time, Panelo said: “Of course.”
The Palace official also denied that there were “pork insertions” in the proposed budget, an allegation made by Senator Panfilo Lacson which he said delayed the passage of the measure in the House of Representatives.
“As far as I know [there is none],” Panelo said.
Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri said a reenacted budget until January next year is likely given the limited time the Senate has to deliberate on the proposed 2019 budget.
Zubiri explained that the Senate has only six days left this year to debate on the proposed budget before they go on a break. The House approved the 2019 budget on third and final reading only on Tuesday. /ee
READ: Reenacted budget for 2019 most likely, say senators