House to have long break

MANILA, Philippines - Members of the House of Representatives will have a long break starting Monday, Aug. 19, due to a series of non-working holidays.

On Aug. 19, Quezon City will commemorate the death anniversary of Commonwealth President Manuel Quezon.

Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said the House leadership has decided not to hold a session on Aug. 20 as it is sandwiched between Quezon Day and the holiday to commemorate the martyrdom of Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. on Aug. 21.

Session was suspended last night and will resume on Aug. 27, a day after National Heroes’ Day, also a non-working holiday.

Gonzales said the budget hearings scheduled for today until next week will continue.

Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, appropriations committee chairman, said despite the holidays, deliberations on the proposed P2.3-trillion national budget for 2014 will continue.

“I am still confident we will finish our task to dispose of the budget measure either earlier or just in time of the schedule,” he said.