Bill extending 2019 budget validity gets House nod

MANILA, Philippines — The House Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill extending the validity of some portions of the 2019 national budget until Dec. 31, 2020.

Lawmakers approved House Bill NO. 5437 with 192 affirmative votes and no negative votes and abstentions.

The bill was previously Joint Resolution No. 19 which was already approved on third and final reading.

READ: Reso extending validity of portions of 2019 budget gets House nod

It was refiled as a bill last week to comply with a recent Supreme Court ruling stating that “a mere resolution cannot amend or repeal a prior law which is an act of Congress.”

House committee on appropriations chairperson Isidro Ungab assured that the contents of the resolution remained the same in the bill.

READ: House refiles as bill measure extending 2019 budget validity

If passed into law, the life of funds allocated for the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and for capital outlay under the 2019 budget will be extended until Dec. 31, 2020.

Edited by JE