Group to summarize Senate, House’s 2025 nat’l budget bill differences

A joint technical working group (TWG) has been formed to summarize the disagreeing provisions of the Senate and the House of Representatives' versions of the bill containing the P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025.

This as the conferees from both houses of Congress convened the bicameral conference committee on House Bill No. 10800 on Thursday in a hotel in Pasay City.

The motion to form the TWG, which will "identify" and "clarify" the disagreeing provisions on the bills, was put forward by Senator Joel Villanueva and was approved by Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Senator Grace Poe.

The motion that was approved by the Senate conferees was eventually adopted by the members of the bicam from the House.

According to Poe, the bicam will reconvene again once the TWG summarizes the disagreeing provisions on the budget versions of the Senate and the House.

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa also appealed to give the members ample time to review the contents of the bicam report before they sign it.

"Before we sign the bicam report, please give us enough time to read it all over again and check everything, madam chair before we sign para hindi tayo magmukhang tanga [so we won't look like idiots] after signing," Dela Rosa said.

Poe told Dela Rosa that they will accede to his request.

"This has been the commitment of your chairman of finance as well as the Senate president so you will be given, all of us will be given ample time to review the final version before we sign," Poe said.

In an ambush interview, Poe said there are only a few contentious items in the 2025 budget. One of which is the Ayuda para sa Kapos and Kita Program (AKAP).

"Actually kaunti lang naman yung mga major na pagkakaiba roon eh. Narinig naman niyo—yung AKAP for example," Poe told reporters.

(Actually there are only a few major differences, such as AKAP, as you heard.)

To recall, the Senate has deleted the House-introduced P39 billion in their version of the budget.

Poe said the TWG is eyeing to start in two days and they are expected to close the bicam meeting on December 9.

In her opening statement, Poe appealed to the members of the bicam to keep their cool while making "tough decisions" and settling their "differences."

"My only plea is for us conferees not to take ourselves too seriously. Kung sobrang init na ang diskusyon mamaya, baka kailangan natin ng [If the discussion becomes too heated, maybe we will need a] coffee break, to settle our differences," Poe said.

Poe emphasized that the bicam is a time for "cooperation and compromise."

"Lahat tayo ay kumakatawan sa iba’t ibang pananaw, interes, at mga nasasakupan [We all have different viewpoints, interests, and scopes]. But let our differences become our strength. Let’s use them to create a budget that’s balanced, equitable, and pro-people," she said.

"Kahit magkaiba tayo ng opinyon [Even though we have different opinions], I have nothing but respect for the work you've done to get us here. Mukhang marami pa tayong trabaho pero malapit nang mag-Pasko [We still have a lot of work to do but it's almost Christmas]. So, let’s get to it. Let’s debate, deliberate, and decide, but always keeping in mind the millions of Filipinos counting on us to get this right," she ended.

Her counterpart, House appropriations committee chairman Elizaldy Co, aired a similar statement and said, "let us find ways to reconcile our differences and ensure that our efforts align with the programs and priorities of the present administration."

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero reminded the bicam members of the deadline in passing the 2025 national budget.

"Mahaba at kumplikado man, inaasahan ko na sa takdang panahon pa rin sa darating na linggo, bago tayo mag-adjourn para sa Christmas break ito ay matatapos, mapagtitibay ng magkabilang conference panel at maibibigay sa Pangulo bago mag Pasko para kanyang ma-review at mapagtibay ito bago pumasok ang darating na taon," Escudero said.

(Long and complicated though it may be, I expect that we will finish at the expected time in the coming week, before we adjourn for the Christmas break. The conference panels will be able to strengthen this and submit it to the President before Christmas so he can review it before the new year.)

For his part, Speaker Martin Romualdez said in his statement during the bicam to prioritize programs that matter and "find the common ground that puts the people first."

"Let’s keep things practical and straightforward. We don’t need to overcomplicate this. Let’s focus on what will make the biggest difference for the Filipino people," he said.

The final version of the 2025 national budget will be determined by the bicameral conference committee. Once they report it out, it will be ratified by both houses of Congress.

Once ratified, the bill will be forwarded to Malacañang for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s review and approval.

If the budget bill for 2025 is not signed by the end of the year, the government will be operating based on the 2024 budget law. — BM, GMA Integrated News