1
THE ₱7.2 TRILLION IS NOT YET THE FINAL BUDGET
The Cabinet has approved the proposed spending plan, but it has not yet become law.
Under the official budget-preparation calendar, the Department of Budget and Management is scheduled to submit the budget documents to the President on August 12. Submission of the President’s budget to Congress is scheduled for August 14.
The House of Representatives will review the proposal first. The Senate will consider the House-approved bill and may propose amendments. The two chambers will reconcile any differences before sending a final spending bill to the President.
Within constitutional limits, Congress can reduce, remove or rearrange individual allocations and redirect funding among programs. It may not increase the overall appropriations recommended by the President for government operations.
The President can also veto particular items before signing the General Appropriations Act.
In other words, the ₱7.2-trillion ceiling cannot be increased by Congress, but the distribution of the money could change significantly.
WHAT TO WATCH
Watch the House and Senate versions of the spending bill. The most important changes may involve which programs gain or lose funding while the total remains within the constitutional ceiling.
LATEST COMMENTARY