2019 national budget may be signed after Holy Week — Palace

“Kinalendar na, pero mukhang pinag-aaralan pa. Eh baka after Holy Week (It was already calendared, but it looks like it is still being reviewed. Maybe after the Holy Week),” the spokesman said. (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

The proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019 may be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte after the Holy Week, Malacañang announced on Thursday, April 11.

During a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the proposed 2019 national budget is still being studied when he was asked by the media if the President already “looked on” to it.

“Kinalendar na, pero mukhang pinag-aaralan pa. Eh baka after Holy Week (It was already calendared, but it looks like it is still being reviewed. Maybe after the Holy Week),” the spokesman said.

The Palace on Wednesday confirmed that the signing of the General Appropriations Act 2019 had already been scheduled on April 15, Monday. However, Panelo took back its initial announcement, telling reporters that the scheduled signing has been ‘removed’ from the Chief Executive’s calendar.

“Pwede ring ibalik hindi ba? Lahat naman ng schedule niya (It might be returned [to the calendar]. All of the President’s schedule is) subject to change without prior notice,” he explained.

Panelo expressed gratitude to the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives for passing the budget bill.

“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,” he said yesterday.

Senate President Vincente Sotto III earlier said he had signed the proposed national budget for this year but with “strong reservations.”

He recommended that Duterte veto the P75-billion budget for programs and projects under the Local Infrastructure Program of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), funded through internal realignments after the bicameral conference report was ratified. Sotto said he finds it “unconstitutional.”

Malacañang previously said Duterte would sign the proposed national budget only if it is “consistent” with the 1987 Constitution.