A day before the Congress reconvenes, House Majority Leader and Zamboanga 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe said that the ratification of the 2025 proposed national budget is among the top agendas to be discussed when the sessions resume.
In a press release on Sunday, Dalipe mentioned that the House will prioritize the budget proposal’s ratification on Monday, once the session resumes. According to the House leader, they are ensuring that the proposed budget is passed immediately so that the bicameral conference meeting can work on the common version.
They are aiming to ratify the bicam report before their Christmas break on December 20, so that enough time can be allotted for approval.
“We hope to ratify the bicam report before our Dec. 20 Christmas break. There is enough time to approve the final version of the budget,” he said.
Part of the reason why they want it to be approved at a later date is so that it can be signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. before the end of 2024. Additionally, Dalipe said that the national budget is among the most important resolutions to be passed every year.
The budget allocation among government sectors also coincides with the oversight function of the House. According to Dalipe, they will continue the Quad Committee (Quad Comm) hearings on the war on drugs and extrajudicial killings, and POGOs; including the Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability’s probe on the Office of the Vice President’s confidential funds.
Moreover, the new House chamber, Quinta Committee will also be conducting its probe on smuggling and other unlawful acts related to Agriculture.
Meanwhile, lawmakers are also required to submit reports for each of their districts on the effects of ‘Kristine’, as Dalipe mentioned that 33 Congressional districts were severely affected.
The next Quad Comm hearing is scheduled for Thursday, November 7. The Committee is anticipating former President Rodrigo Duterte’s presence.
