PRRD to sign 2019 national budget on April 15

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte affixes his signature while applying for a Unified Multi-Purpose Identification on the sidelines of his attendance to the 81st anniversary celebration of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) at the Gymnasium of the GSIS Financial Center in Pasay City on June 19, 2018. REY BANIQUET/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte will sign the long-delayed PHP3.7-trillion national budget for 2019 on April 15, Malacañang confirmed on Wednesday.

“The Palace confirms that the ceremonial signing of the General Appropriations Act 2019 has already been calendared in the President’s schedule on April 15, Monday,” said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement.

Panelo said the 2019 budget is a continuation of Duterte’s promise of bringing genuine change in the country.

“This year’s National Budget – our third under the Duterte Administration – is a continuation of our narrative of genuine change and meaningful progress through, among others, our intensified infrastructure development programs, expanded policies on human development and poverty reduction, as well as strategies in advancing the peace and order situation of the country,” Panelo said.

Panelo thanked the Senate and the House of Representatives for passing a budget supportive of the President’s vision.

“We thank the men and women of the Senate and the House of Representatives for supporting this Administration’s endeavors in pursuing a path towards the President’s vision of a prosperous and high-income economy under a secure and peaceful nation where all Filipinos can experience a dignified and comfortable life,” he said.

The government has been operating on a reenacted budget since January 1 after lawmakers failed to pass the bill last year due to allegations of pork “insertions”.

The passage of the 2019 budget was further stalled due to allegations of last-minute amendments made by the House after both chambers of Congress ratified the bicameral conference committee report.

Panelo earlier said Duterte has the right to veto certain realignments and would not sign anything ‘unconstitutional’.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier announced that he has signed the proposed PHP3.7-trillion national budget “with strong reservations”.

Sotto appealed to Duterte to veto “unconstitutional” provisions amid allegations that some PHP75 billion had been realigned by the House of Representatives to benefit various lawmakers.