MALACAÑANG expressed confidence on Thursday, November 22, that Congress will approve the proposed P3.757-trillion cash-based budget for 2019.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 20, approved the proposed General Appropriations Act for 2019 three weeks after deliberations on the measure.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace was confident that both the Senate and the House of Representatives will "do their job" to pass the proposed budget.
"We have submitted a budget proposal... This is the budget proposal of the Palace and so they will have to do their job," the Palace official told a press conference.
"If there are questions on the budget, they will raise that and we will respond to them," he added.
The Senate earlier raised the possibility that the government will have a reenacted budget for 2019, citing the delay in the House of Representatives' approval of the next year's expenditure program.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday, November 21, noted that the Senate would need time to scrutinize the proposed budget.
Zubiri stressed that because of time constraints, the Senate might only be able to approve the proposed 2019 budget on third and final reading on December 12, the last day of session before Congress goes on break.
He added that Congress may convene the bicameral conference committee during recess to deliberate on the budget but the measure's ratification could only take place in January, when sessions resume.
Despite the possibility of a reenacted budget in 2019, Panelo said the Palace was "convinced" that Congress will do its best to pass the budget bill.
"Of course," Panelo said, when asked if the Palace is convinced that Congress will pass the proposed 2019 budget.
"We're only speculating that it will not be passed," he added.
The proposed P3.757-trillion cash-based national budget is slightly lower than the current obligations-based budget of P3.767 trillion.
If Congress fails to pass the proposed 2019 budget, the government will operate using the 2018's P3.767-trillion budget. (SunStar Philippines)