The opening of the Second Regular Session of the 19th Congress at the House of Representatives, Quezon City, Monday, July 24, 2023. (INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA)
MANILA, Philippines — The proposed P5.768 trillion 2024 budget was approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading late Wednesday night, just before session was adjourned.
House Bill No. 8980, which contains the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), was approved with 296 lawmakers in the affirmative, 3 in the negative, and zero abstentions.
The House was able to pass the GAB on the same day that the bill was approved on second reading thanks to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s certification of the proposed measure as urgent.
With the approval, the House can transmit the GAB to the Senate on time, allowing Senators to study the proposed budget for a longer time.
Currently, it is still unclear what amendments would be made to the GAB, as no committee amendments were raised.
House committee on appropriations chairman and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, however, said that they are looking to realign confidential funds in the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education towards defense-oriented agencies.
Before the bill was approved, Deputy Majority Leader and Pangasinan 6th District Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas moved to assign a small committee to thresh out the different individual amendments by different lawmakers.
“Consistent with our parliamentary precedent, I move to create a small committee to receive and resolve all individual amendments to House Bill No. 8980,” Primicias-Agabas said.
The small committee will be composed of:
- Rep. Elizaldy Co
- Appropriations senior vice chair and Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo
- Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe
- Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan
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