Palace: Duterte, Congress leaders to resolve budget deadlock

CONGRESS LEADERS were scheduled to meet last night with President Rodrigo R. Duterte to discuss the impasse between the Senate and the House of Representatives on the proposed P3.757 trillion national budget for 2019. In a press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said the President is stepping into the row between the two chambers of Congress over accusations of post-ratification changes in the delayed 2019 spending plan.

CONGRESS LEADERS were scheduled to meet last night with President Rodrigo R. Duterte to discuss the impasse between the Senate and the House of Representatives on the proposed P3.757 trillion national budget for 2019.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said the President is stepping into the row between the two chambers of Congress over accusations of post-ratification changes in the delayed 2019 spending plan.

“I understand they will be having a meeting tonight, maybe that’s (budget) the agenda where they have to thresh out whatever differences they have,” he said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

“He will act as a moderator. He will listen. Maybe he’s just— I’m just speculating, he may have brought the two together just so they can talk and discuss .... It should be the goal of all branches of government to unite and have as a goal the welfare of the people,” he added.

For his part, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said the meeting would provide a clear picture on the fate of the 2019 national budget, whether it would eventually take effect or a reenacted budget would continue. He said he would also present in the meeting the Senate’s findings on the alleged realignments of the House of Representatives in the budget bill.

“I think after tonight, it will be clear on what will happen (on the 2019 national budget), which is either they (House of Representatives) remove the internal realignment after the ratification or we have a reenacted budget until July,” Mr. Sotto said.

“That will be our position when we meet the President later. So it’s up to them to accept or not accept our proposal. Now, I will leave it also to the President whether to accept or not accept their (House of Representatives) explanation .... I will wait for their reaction later,” he added.

Mr. Sotto said he would be accompanied by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, as well as Finance committee chair and vice chairperson Senators Loren B. Legarda and Panfilo M. Lacson.

For his part, House Minority Leader Danilo E. Suarez said House Leaders, particularly Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and House Appropriations Committee chair Rolando G. Andaya, Jr., are set to join the meeting with Mr. Duterte.

He also called on the Senate “(t)o be transparent, you must identify how you intend spend the money that’s being allocated within your district.”

“The House merely specified projects and programs that shall be funded,” Mr. Suarez added, in reference to itemized lump sum funds provided in the report approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee.