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.
quick hits Article continues after this advertisement“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.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Quad comm seeks crimes against humanity raps vs Duterte, Bato, Bong Go NEWSINFO MMDA issues coding suspension schedule for the holidays NEWSINFO Paolo Duterte OK with probe, but says it must not be based on hearsay“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.
Article continues after this advertisementWhen asked if Congress can conduct a special session, Pimentel replied in the affirmative.
In an interview early this week, DTI-Export Marketing Bureau Director Bianca Pearl Sykimte said the agency is now putting up the FTA Information Portal and Origin Management System.
The benchmark PSEi fell by 0.18 percent, or 13.05 points, to close at 7,411.47 while the broader All-Shares index climbed by 0.10 percent, or 4.16 points, to sit at 4,037.52 by the closing bell on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Article continues after this advertisement“Oo, eh puwede naman mag-agree yung both houses,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement(Yes, both houses can agree.)
Pimentel said Congress may still conduct sessions if they intend to settle budget woes before 2024 ends.
Article continues after this advertisement“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.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
READ: P6.352 trillion national budget for 2025 reaches Senate floormega dice
READ NEXT Marcos’ budget review shows Pinoys can criticize govR... DOH reminds Filipinos to spend Christmas season healthily EDITORS' PICK Marian Rivera reacts to her viral ‘Unfaithful’ cover: ‘Natatawa ako sa sarili ko’ Quad comm seeks crimes against humanity raps vs Duterte, Bato, Bong Go Signing of 2025 GAA deferred for President's review - Bersamin Mary Jane Veloso returns home after 14 years PhilHealth cuts anniversary budget to 'few hundred thousand pesos only' LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Depression Querubin MOST READ LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Depression Querubin Paolo Duterte OK with probe, but says it must not be based on hearsay Atong Ang confirms relationship with Sunshine Cruz in report CSA tells Yasmien Kurdi to 'cooperate' amid 'bullying' involving daughter Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments
lucky block Marcos’