By Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – Senators may have to work through the Christmas holidays to ensure passage of the proposed 2027 national budget as the chamber braces for potentially difficult negotiations with the House of Representatives.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday said lawmakers are determined to approve and ratify the spending measure before year-end despite a tight legislative calendar complicated by the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Kaya kahit na Pasko, magtatrabaho kami para matapos yung budget (Even during Christmas, we will work to finish the budget),” Gatchalian told reporters in a chance interview at the Senate.
He recalled that senators also worked through the Christmas season last year to complete budget deliberations, adding that a similar arrangement may be necessary this year.
Under the tentative schedule, the Senate will prioritize Duterte’s impeachment trial when sessions resume on Nov. 9 before temporarily suspending proceedings to accommodate plenary budget deliberations.
Gatchalian said senators intend to devote one to two weeks to budget debates before returning to the impeachment trial if the defense has not completed its presentation.
The bicameral conference committee, which will reconcile conflicting provisions in the House and Senate versions of the spending measure, is expected to convene about a week after the Senate concludes its plenary deliberations.
Gatchalian said he is coordinating with Senate finance committee chairperson Senator JV Ejercito to finalize the legislative calendar and keep budget deliberations on track.
Tough bicameral negotiations
Apart from scheduling constraints, Gatchalian acknowledged that significant differences between the House and Senate budget proposals could trigger contentious negotiations.
He recalled that disagreements during last year’s bicameral deliberations resulted in the cancellation of some meetings.
“As much as possible, we’ll find a common ground. Pero hindi rin malayo na magkakaroon din ng matinding pag-uusap (But it is also possible that there will be intense discussions). That’s part of bicam,” he said.
Gatchalian said the Senate has yet to coordinate with its House counterparts on potentially contentious provisions because the finance committee is still consolidating proposed amendments.
He also acknowledged possible quorum difficulties if bicameral negotiations overlap with impeachment proceedings, as senators would be required to participate in both.
The Senate President said arrangements would have to be discussed with the House once the chamber completes its committee report, sponsorship and plenary debates.
Despite the possibility of a budget deadlock, Gatchalian expressed confidence that both chambers would work toward a compromise to complete the spending measure before year-end.
He described the national budget as the government’s most important economic stimulus program, emphasizing the need to ensure its timely passage to fund public services and development projects. (PNA)
