Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 28) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may sign the proposed 2024 budget of ₱5.768 trillion before his trip to Japan next month, according to Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno.
“Malamang (Maybe),” the Finance chief said when asked during a Palace briefing on Tuesday.
The chief executive is scheduled to attend the ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Commemorative Summit on Dec. 16 to 18.
Diokno said the president has “enough time” to approve the financial blueprint as it has been progressing in Congress.
Last week, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said lawmakers in the lower and upper chambers aim to ratify the proposed budget bill before Dec. 10.
The Senate is expected to approve the budget this week.
Once adopted by the House of Representatives or ratified by the bicameral conference committee, the proposed budget bill will be sent to Malacañang for the president’s signature.
The proposed expenditure program is 9.5% higher than the current ₱5.268 trillion.
The expenditure plan for next year was marred by issues, including requests for confidential and intelligence funds.
