JUST IN: Senate unanimously approves P3.757 trillion proposed 2019 nat’l budget

(Eagle News) — The Senate approved on third and final reading on Monday, January 21, the proposed P3.757 trillion national budget for 2019 with 14 senators voting in favor of it.

There were no abstentions, and no negative votes.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said that with the passage of the budget, the Senate hopes this will reach President Rodrigo Duterte for his signature by the first week of February.

The Senate approved the proposed budget two months after the House of Representatives passed the 2019 General Appropriation Bill last November.

The failure to approve the budget last year made the government to operate under the 2018 national budget.

Sotto said the bicameral conference committee meeting could be convened by Tuesday.

“Right after that approve na namin on second and third reading para pwede ng i-convene yung bicam either tonight or tomorrow,” he said before the senate approved the 2019 budget proposal