Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III — Photo from the Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Congress may still conduct special sessions on the 2025 budget bill even after both chambers adjourned their sessions in light of the Christmas season, according to Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Pimentel emphasized the need to scrutinize the budget without being influenced by a deadline. He issued his remark hours after the Palace decided to defer the signing of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) as it is still being reviewed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“My stand is this: Let’s not panic about Dec. 31. Let’s do our research. How many times has it happened in the past that January 1 came and there’s no budget? We were okay, we’re still alive. Nothing bad happened to the republic,” Pimentel said in Filipino.
“It’s better to have an acceptable budget law than to have a budget law being criticized by the people just for the sake of having one before Dec. 31,” he added.
The House of Representatives and the Senate are slated to adjourn their sessions on Wednesday, December 18, in time for the holiday break.
When asked if Congress can conduct a special session, Pimentel replied in the affirmative.
“Oo, eh puwede naman mag-agree yung both houses,” he said.
(Yes, both houses can agree.)
Pimentel said Congress may still conduct sessions if they intend to settle budget woes before 2024 ends.
“If we really want and if we’re really afraid of the Dec. 31 deadline. That’s what I want to say. Why are we so afraid of Dec. 31, what’s the point?” he added.
Asked if the budget could still be “fixed” next year, Pimentel said yes.
He also said lawmakers only need to look after the actions of one another to ensure that no abuse would take place.
“Let’s fix this budget. Let’s not push for it just for the sake of having a budget before Dec. 31. Why? This is not the Y2K,” he added in Filipino.
READ: P6.352 trillion national budget for 2025 reaches Senate floor