LEADERS of the House of Representatives yesterday met with their Senate counterparts to start the process of ironing out the differences in their approved versions of the proposed P6.352 trillion national budget for 2025, particularly the Senate’s removal of the P39 billion budget for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
There were, however, no fireworks during the initial bicameral meeting, which was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Pasay City, as lawmakers only took 15 minutes to issue their statements appealing to their counterparts to work harmoniously to allow President Marcos Jr. to sign the budget into law before the end of the year.
“While the deliberations are long and complicated, I expect that at the right time the following week, before we adjourn for the Christmas break, the two conference panels will be able to finish and ratify this budget so it will be submitted to the President before Christmas so he can review it and sign into law before the New Year,” Senate President Francis Escudero said.
“Hopefully we would be able to perform our job within the prescribe time, within this year so when we start come January 1, 2025, we would have already the approved budget that the Filipino people can rely on and hopefully aspire to see in the next coming months in the coming year,” he added.
The House contingent is composed of Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker David Suarez and Rep. Elizaldy Co (PL, Ako Bicol), chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, while the Escudero-led Senate was represented by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, Sen. Joel Villanueva and Sen. Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance.
Poe said both panels agreed to form a technical working group composed of representatives from both houses “and then from there, we will reconcile the differences.”
She said the major differences are minimal and only the AKAP budget seems to be the contentious issue that has to be threshed out.
The Speaker and other House leaders have vowed to fight for the retention of the P39 billion fund for the AKAP, which the Senate removed from its version.
Another potential issue is the P733 million approved by the Senate as budget of the Office of the Vice President for 2205, an amount which was recommended by the House of Representatives, which, while a far cry from the original Palace proposal of P2 billion, is enough to “capacitate” the OVP to operate and implement its programs, according to Poe.
Some senators have expressed intentions to push for the increase in the OVP budget, which was slashed by more than half after Vice President Sara Duterte refused to attend the House plenary deliberations on the budget.
‘BRIDGE THE GAPS’
In her opening statement, Poe told fellow lawmakers that “no matter how much we may disagree, we should all be here for a common purpose and that is to serve our countrymen.”
“Of course, it’s not without its challenges. Lahat gustong makuha ang pinakamataas na marka para sa kanilang sektor, pero kailangan din nating tiyakin na sapat para matugunan ang mga tunay na pangagailan ng bansa (All wants to get the highest grade for their sector, but we also have to make sure that it’s enough to address the true needs of the country). Today, we’ll make those tough decisions,” she said.
“But let’s not forget: This is also a time for cooperation and compromise. Lahat tayo ay kumakatawan sa iba’t ibang pananaw, interes, at mga nasasakupan (We all represent different views, interest and constituencies). But let our differences become our strength. Let’s use them to create a budget that’s balanced, equitable, and pro-people),” Poe added.
Poe appealed to her colleagues to take it easy as future discussions can be tedious and heated at some point.
“My only plea is for us conferees not to take ourselves too seriously. Kung sobrang init na ang diskusyon mamaya, baka kailangan natin ng coffee break (When the discussions get heated later, maybe we’ll need a coffee break) to settle our differences,” she said in jest.
The Speaker said the House, in passing its version of the budget, made sure that its version “reflects the priorities of the Filipino people,” an aspiration, which he said, senators surely share.
“So now, it’s up to us in this bicam to bridge the gaps – not just between the House and the Senate but, more importantly, between what our people need and what we can deliver,” he said. “This is where we prove that we’re capable of working together, not just as representatives of our respective chambers but as leaders who genuinely care about the future of this country.”
The House leader pointed out that the two chambers “may have different approaches, but the outcome must be the same: a budget that works for everyone – from the farmers in rural provinces to the workers in urban centers, from small business owners to young students dreaming of a better life.”
“I know we can get this done, and I know we can do it right. So, let’s get to work,” he told his colleagues. “Let’s keep things practical and straightforward. We don’t need to overcomplicate this. Let’s focus on what will make the biggest difference for the Filipino people. The programs that matter, the services they rely on, and the investments that will move this country forward – those should be non-negotiable.”
Co, for his part, called on his colleagues to “seize this opportunity to shape the legacy of our collective work – one that reflects our shared commitment to build a stronger, more equitable, more resilient Philippines.”
“Let us approach this deliberation with a spirit of unity, driven by our responsibility to those who placed their trust in us. Thank you and may our discussions be fruitful and guided by wisdom,” he said.
