Sotto thinks Duterte can’t sign 2019 nat’l budget by Dec 15

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said Monday it might not be “physically possible” to have a proposed 2019 national budget signed by President Rodrigo Duterte by December 15.

Sotto cited the time it would take to print the proposal as well as its approval by the bicameral conference committee.

“Printing alone takes days. Assuming we are able to pass it by next week, paano bicam and printing?,” Sotto said in a text message to reporters on Monday.

He noted that in 2017, the Senate was able to start deliberating on the national budget in October but this year, he said they would only start their deliberations on the matter by December 4.

Sotton again blamed the House of Representatives for the delay of the passage of the 2019 national budget.

“House of Representatives should have considered that when they delayed their transmittal to us. The revamp in the lower house is the major cause of delay,” Sotto said.

READ: Sotto hits House budget delay: ‘Bakit nila kami ginipit ng ganito?’

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier said though the Senate leadership is ready to “work double time” and do its “best efforts” to approve the 2019 national budget before the end of the year.

He issued this remark despite the Senate’s stand against being rushed into approving the proposed 2019 national budget.

Zubiri also said, after a meeting last week with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, the Senate could pass the budget on third and final reading and even have it ratified before Congress goes on Christmas break by December 14.

READ: After Palace’s appeal, Senate eyes approval of 2019 budget before yearend

/kga