House passes proposed P7.2-trillion 2027 national budget on 2nd reading

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The House of Representatives passed on the second reading the proposed P7.2 trillion national budget—but not without any criticisms from several lawmakers.

In a 24 Oras report from Tina Panganiban-Perez on Thursday, the budget was passed with P116 billion in budget realignments. Several lawmakers questioned the budgetary changes.

ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio questioned why there was not a detailed report by the Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee (BARSc) for its recommended changes to the proposed budget.

“Yung mga increases na pinropose sa BARSc ay mga lump sum increases lang. Hindi idinetalye kung saan mapupunta,” Tinio said.

(The increases proposed by the BARSc are mere lump sums. It is not detailed where it would go.)

However, House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin suspended the session to settle Tinio’s concern. According to the House leadership, the budget discussions were all livestreamed and the amendments were indicated in the proposed measure. All of the lawmakers were also given a copy and it is uploaded to the website.

“As such, the majority submits that the point of order is not well taken,” House Deputy Majority Leader Manuel Fortes said.

The People’s Budget Coalition also did not approve of the P199 billion that was moved around in the budget. One of these changes included added aid to the transport sector.

“Fuel subsidy to transport sector affected by rising fuel prices, the amount of P498.960 billion appropriated here shall be used to provide a nationwide fuel subsidy to duly licensed PUV's, taxis, tricycles, and ridehailing and service delivery vehicles,” Gabriela Women's Party Representative Sarah Elago said.

House appropriations Chair Mikaela Suansing defended this budget for transport aid.

“The amount in the NEP (National Expenditure Program) for the fuel subsidy to the transport sector is currently at zero, and the recommendation of the budget amendments review subcommittee is to add P1 billion to that,” Suansing said.

Meanwhile, Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco asked for a list of Department of Public Works and Highways projects that lawmakers were asking for.

“Mandatory publication of the House budget utilization and member-specific expenditures, under the special provisions of the House of Representatives,” Tiangco said.

Suansing replied and said that the Department of Budget and Management posts such projects on their website and the different district engineering offices could be searched.

There needs to be three days between the approval of a bill from the second reading to the third and final reading.

As a result, the House is expected to pass the budget on the third reading by Monday, October 12. — Jean Mangaluz/BM, GMA News