Lacson says Senate may adopt House-approved 2020 budget

Senator Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER file photo / JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson said Sunday that they are mulling to adopt the proposed 2020 national budget transmitted by the House of Representatives after he discovered only P9.5 billion were realigned.

Lacson earlier confirmed that there were no pork insertions in the proposed 2020 national budget which was swiftly approved by the House on Sept. 20.

READ: Lacson: No pork, only institutional amendments in House-approved 2020 budget

“Pinakamagandang gawin dahil sa nakita namin P9.5B lang na institutional amendments, baka mas magandang gawin namin, i-adopt na lang namin ang House of Representatives version,” the senator, known for revealing alleged pork insertions in the 2019 national budget, said over dzbb.

(The best way to do since we saw P9.5 billion worth of institutional amendments, maybe it’s better if we adopt the House version.)

Lacson said he already discussed this proposal to Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

He added that they will discuss it with Senator Sonny Angara, head of Senate committee on finance, to ensure a swift passage of the national budget for next year.

But Lacson assured the public that Senate will monitor closely the budget deliberations once the proposed national budget will be submitted to the bicameral conference committee.

“Malamang sa hindi sa bicameral nila ‘yan [insertions] ilalatag o ipapasok. ‘Yan ang delikado. At ‘yan ang kailangan bantayan ng Senado, at least ng magiging member ng bicameral committee conference,” he said.

(The insertions could be present at bicameral. That would be dangerous. And that should be monitored at the Senate, at least those who will become a member of the bicameral committee conference.) /je