Duterte certifies 2020 national budget bill as urgent

President Rodrigo Duterte has certified as urgent next year’s P4.1-trillion proposed national budget.

In a letter to Congress dated September 17, Duterte cited the immediate need to pass the budget bill in order to “maintain continuous government operations” after 2019.

He also said the early passage of the spending bill would “expedite the funding” of various programs, projects and activities for 2020 and “ensure budgetary preparedness that will enable the government to effectively perform its constitutional mandate.”

Senate President Vicente Sotto III confirmed in a text message that the chamber has already received the certification.

Once a bill is certified as urgent, Congress can skip the three-day rule, allowing lawmakers to pass a measure on third reading immediately after it is passed on second reading.

The proposed 2020 national budget is 11.8% higher than the P3.66-trillion appropriations for 2019.

In his budget message to lawmakers, Duterte said the proposed appropriations for 2020 would help achieve the administration’s goal of a “strongly-rooted, comfortable and secure life” for Filipinos.

“We cannot and should not delay or slacken our pace on this. For our people are looking to this to give meaning to the change they have desired, and won,” he said.

“With your diligent review and speedy approval of our proposed national budget of P4.1 trillion for Fiscal Year 2020, we can together continue to give meaning to the trust that our people have vested upon us and to make good our promise to lead them to a more peaceful and progressive Philippines.”

The House of Representatives and the Senate will have to pass a reconciled version of the budget bill to be submitted to Malacañang for the President’s signature. — BM, GMA News