Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 28) — The Senate approved the proposed ₱5.768-trillion national budget for 2024 on Tuesday.
The General Appropriations Bill was passed with a 21-0 vote and one abstention from Senator Koko Pimentel.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, said she would submit an explanation for her vote.
The Senate and the House of Representatives will now reconcile the differences in both versions of the spending bill.
Last week, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said they were looking to approve the bill by Nov. 29.
House lawmakers approved the proposed budget in September, and no amendments were introduced in the plenary.
The president earlier certified the bill as “urgent,” saying there is a need to maintain continuous government operations after the end of the fiscal year.At a briefing on Tuesday morning, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could sign the proposed budget before leaving for Japan in December.Marcos is set to attend the ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Commemorative Summit from Dec. 16 to 18.
