Senate OKs 2019 budget on final reading

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has unanimously approved on third and final reading the proposed P3.757 trillion national budget for 2019.

Fourteen senators voted on Monday to approve the 2019 General Appropriation Bill (GAB) with zero negative votes and abstentions.

The Senate approval on Monday came two months after the passage of the 2019 General Appropriation Bill at the House of Representatives last November.

The non-approval of the budget in 2018 prompted the government to operate under last year’s national budget.

Once approved by the Senate and the House, the two chambers will convene in a bicameral conference committee to reconcile their versions of the GAB.

The approved version in the bicam will GAB will then be sent back to the two chambers for ratification.

Once ratified by the two chambers, the budget bill will be sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature. /je