House concludes committee-level hearings for proposed 2024 budget

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has concluded its committee-level hearings on the proposed 2024 national budget.

House Appropriations Committee Chairperson Rep. Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol Party-list) said in a statement that the lower chamber will next consolidate all recommendations and amendments in preparation for the plenary deliberations on the proposed P5.7 trillion national budget for 2024.

“The work is far from over, but the completion of these budget briefings marks a critical milestone in our journey towards a more prosperous and equitable Philippines," Co said.

Budget deliberations at the lower chamber began August 10. 

House Speaker Martin Romualdez previously said that the House is aiming to pass its version of the General Appropriations Bill — the government's national budget as legislated — before Congress adjourns sessions on September 30.

The Department of Budget and Management transmitted the 2024 National Expenditure Program to the House earlier than usual this year ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 30.

‘Parliamentary courtesy’ leads to House tensions

Lawmakers invoked the "parliamentary courtesy" tradition during the budget briefings of the Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President (OVP), terminating their respective hearings earlier than usual.

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Makabayan bloc lawmakers have criticized this move and said that the budgets of the two highest officials in the country should not be kept from scrutiny.

Rep. France Castro (ACT Teachers) said on September 5 that she hoped the OVP would address its use of confidential and intelligence funds during plenary deliberations.

"These were the types of questions that VP Duterte avoided during the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations briefing. We hope that in the plenary even through a sponsor she can answer our questions," Castro added.