2019 budget can be approved until Dec. 30 — Andaya

House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines—House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. expressed confidence on Friday that 2019 budget could be passed until Dec. 30.

“Ah, oo. Kahit bukas pwede yan ipasa eh. Wala naman problema,” Andaya said in a press conference when asked if he thinks the 2019 budget could be passed until Dec. 30.

Andaya pointed out that the Senate has been conducting budget hearings since August, therefore, the budget deliberations could be fast-tracked since the senators have already deliberated on it in the committee level.

“You have to remember that the Senate has been holding budget hearings August pa. So ilang buwan na yun na nakaraan,” Andaya said.

“So, yung pinaguusapan nila ngayon ay napagusapan naman talaga na sa committee level. All they have to do is just adopt it,” he added.

However, the lawmaker said that “out of respect” the lower chamber will wait for the Senate to finish its deliberations.

“Out of respect, we will wait. Give them the time. Alam mo, legislative haste will make budgetary waste. Kaya bigyan mo sila ng oras na balangkasin din ang panukalang budget,” he said. /jpv

RELATED STORY

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