2019 budget will be passed ‘anytime soon’: Lacson

MANILA — Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday said the proposed 2019 national budget will be passed “anytime soon.”

This development came after both contingents from the House of Representatives and Senate met on Monday to resolve the budget issue.

“Let’s just say, the national budget will be passed anytime soon,” Lacson said in a text message to reporters.

The budget impasse between the two chambers arose from the alleged post-ratification realignments made by the House in the spending measure.

Sotto earlier stressed he will not sign an enrolled copy of the budget bill for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature if the lower chamber insists on its amendments.

Sotto, upon meeting with the Senate contingent on Monday night to discuss the result of the budget talks, said he was “studying the options proposed last night.”

House appropriations committee chair Rolando Andaya Jr. described the meeting as “very lively” and “positive”, noting that both panels were able to explain their sides.

“We had a very lively conversation. We were able to explain both our sides in a very conducive manner for understanding,” Andaya said.

Andaya said he expects a new budget to be transmitted for the President’s signature before March 29.