House OKs P1.5-trillion budget for 2010

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives approved on second reading yesterday President Arroyo’s proposed P1.541-trillion 2010 national budget.

Approval came shortly before 3 o’clock in the morning and capped a marathon session that started at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Lawmakers are taking a three-week break starting this weekend.

The President’s proposal was approved without amendments.

Speaker Prospero Nograles said he and his colleagues would now work on changes in the budget to allocate more funds for the needs of typhoon victims and their communities.

He said the House hopes to approve the spending bill on third and final reading and send it to the Senate when Congress reconvenes on Nov. 9.

“The two chambers should be able to finally pass it before the end of the year. I assure our people that there will be no reenactment of this year’s budget in 2010,” he said.

He added that the marathon session and the approval of the budget “prove that the House of the People is united when it comes to national interest.”

Opposition lawmakers have expressed fears about a budget reenactment, which they said would give the administration wide leeway to use funds for the May 2010 presidential elections.

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said before adjourning its session that the House created a small committee to receive proposed amendments in the budget from congressmen during the break.

He said the panel is composed of Representatives Junie Cua of Quirino and Edcel Lagman of Albay, chairman and senior vice chairman, respectively, of the appropriations committee; and Majority Leader Arthur Defensor and South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio as representatives of the rules committee and the minority, respectively.

“They will collate all proposed amendments and endorse the final changes in accordance with the priorities of President Arroyo and of the House,” he said.

He added that he and his colleagues would see the recommended changes when the budget is presented for third-reading approval on Nov. 9 or 10.