|
Thursday, January 15, 2004
Senate to hold marathon sessions to pass 2004 budget, other bills
THE Senate will hold whole-day sessions starting next week to pass major measures and to expedite the approval of the 2004 national budget amounting to P864.8 billion.
This was announced by Senate Majority Leader Francisco Pangilinan, which he disclosed was the result of a caucus last Monday night.
"The senators agreed to meet mornings and afternoons from Monday to Friday to cover more ground. We also agreed what bills we would prioritize and pass in the remaining 14 days," Pangilinan said.
According to Pangilinan, the legislators wanted to finish the deliberations on the proposed General Appropriations Act of 2004 by January 23.
Meanwhile, all other bills would most likely be approved before the end of the month or before the adjournment of Congress on February 6.
Sen. Manuel Villar, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, said it is imperative for Congress to pass the national budget so as to avoid coming up with a supplemental budget.
He blamed the House of Representatives for the delay in the passage of the national budget since it was only forwarded to the Senate last December 19.
Aside from the 2004 budget, the Senate would also conduct marathon sessions to discuss the anti-jueteng bill; bill amending the Philippine Depositors Insurance Company (PDIC) charter; Clean Water Bill; Bill on University of the Philippines (UP) Charter Revision; Political Party System Bill; Anti-Violence Against Women Bill; Alternative Dispute Resolution Bill; Prosecutor's Pay Bill; Anti-Terrorism Bill; Domestic Shipping Incentives Bill and the Compensation of Marcos Human Rights Victims Bill. JPM
(January 15, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
