Manila: The Senate on Friday granted the House of Representatives' request to extend its plenary session to Oct. 13, to allow the lower chamber to approve the proposed 2026 national budget on third and final reading. During the plenary session, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, acting as majority leader, moved to give the House sufficient time to complete its deliberations on the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) while complying with the Constitution's three-day rule between second and third readings.

According to Philippines News Agency, the resolution was read in the Senate's order of business before the suspension of session last Wednesday, Oct. 1. Senator Ejercito emphasized the need for providing the House with ample time to pass the General Appropriations Bill on second and third reading in faithful compliance with Article 6, Section 26, Paragraph 2 of the Constitution, and thus moved that the body grant consent to the House of Representatives' request.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III approved the motion without objection, ensuring that the House of Representatives could meet the targeted second reading approval of the General Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2026 while adhering to the requirements of the Constitution. Consequently, the Senate consented to the convening of the House in plenary session on October 13, 2025.

Following this decision, the Senate adjourned its session until 3 p.m. on Nov. 10.