The House of Representatives approved House Bill 10800, also known as the 2025 General Appropriations Bill, on Wednesday, September 25, in third and final reading.
The proposed 2025 national budget, worth Php 6.352 trillion, received 285 affirmatives votes, three negative votes, and zero abstention from lawmakers.
The Lower House of Congress approved HB 10800 after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in a letter on Tuesday, September 24, urged the Legislative to expedite the passage of HB 10800 'to ensure the uninterrupted operation of critical government functions, guarantee the allocation of fiscal resources for vital initiatives, and enable the government to adeptly respond to emerging challenges'.
During a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, House Speaker Martin Romualdez promised to pass the HB 10800 within the day, and transmit the proposal to the Senate.
"Mamayang gabi maipapasa natin iyan on third and final reading and ready for transmission in short order to the Senate, kaya ito ang pinakaimportanteng batas na iniharap natin sa Kongreso," Romualdez assured.
Senate President Francis Escudero, meanwhile, expects that the Upper House of Congress will pass the proposed national budget with enough time for it to be reviewed by the President.
"Sa ngayon, on schedule ang mga pagdinig sa komite ng Senado," Escudero said.
"Inaasahan namin na ito ay maaaprubahan nang may sapat na panahon para ito ay mabasa at ma-review ng Pangulo kaugnay ng mga line item veto na maaari niyang gawin sa panukalang budget upang maging ganap na batas ito bago matapos ang taon," he added.
Romualdez also expressed optimism that President Marcos Jr. will sign the 2025 national budget before Christmas, December 25.
"Ang hangarin na natin ay para mayroong maligayang Pasko hindi lang para sa Pangulo, sa Administrasyon pero sa taumbayan na mayroon tayong isang national budget for progress, prosperity and development para sa buong sambayanang Pilipinas," the congressman said.
