As the Senate is set to start the deliberation of the P5.768-trillion proposed national budget for 2024 this week, the minority bloc is urging the majority bloc not to rush its passage.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said he is appealing to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to ensure the proper phasing of the deliberation and eventual approval of the next year’s budget target to give the minority bloc ample time to scrutinize the 2024 General Appropriations Bill or the proposed national expenditure.MANILA, Philippines —
During Congress’ joint session, the House of Representatives formally transmitted to the Senate its approved version of the 2024 GAB. Congress, which went on break on Sept. 30, will resume session today. Pimentel noted that the minority bloc is not alone in watching and scrutinizing the national budget process, but also the people, who have the right to know how their money is appropriated.
Pimentel said he would also appeal with Sen. Juan Edgardo Sonny Angara, chairman of the Senate finance committee, to not rush the passage of the 2024 national budget proposal. “I could suggest that in the earlier part of the deliberation, the huge and critical agencies are there... then the other executive offices can be at the end,” Pimentel said. “But if it was possible from the very start, we should not cram because I admit that the quality of intervention would go down.
Ramos-Horta, a Nobel Peace Prize awardee, will be in the country for a state visit on November 10, Friday, to tackle various...