Senate blitzes approval of P5.67-trillion budget for 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Tuesday passed on second and third readings the P5.67-trillion proposed national budget for 2024, heeding Malacañang’s certification of the measure and setting aside its own rules requiring the tackling and approval of the bill on separate days.

With 21 affirmative votes and one abstention, senators approved House Bill No. 8980, or the 2024 general appropriations bill, with the final version marked by increases in the proposed funding for external and internal security, food security and education.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III abstained supposedly to register his “continuing objection” to the propriety of the use by the executive branch of treating the budget as a “certified” measure.

“I will not object anymore, I will just manifest my continuing objection to the use of a presidential certification on the budget when I do not see an emergency or a calamity, which will be addressed by the certification,” he said.

Siblings Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano were absent.