House recalls OK on second reading of proposed 2021 budget

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Tuesday recalled the second reading approval of the proposed 2021 national budget.

In separate motions during the special session, the House moved to reconsider the second reading approval of the 2021 budget bill.

It likewise moved to reconsider the termination of the period of amendments and debates.

The motions were carried after lawmakers voted via viva voce, and the budget bill is now back to the period plenary debates in the House.

At around 3 p.m., the House reopened the session to tackle the 2021 budget.

The session was called by President Rodrigo Duterte to avoid delays in passing the 2021 national budget. The President also certified as urgent the budget measure.

Earlier, the House suspended the session until Nov. 16 after it approved the budget on second reading.

The suspension of the session was seen by many as former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s move to avoid the supposed turnover of Velasco on Oct. 14. [ac]