Manila: The Senate may begin plenary work on the proposed 2027 national budget next week while its finance committee continues agency briefings to keep the spending measure on track despite the impeachment trial calendar, Senator Joseph Victor 'JV' Ejercito said.
According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Ejercito, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, mentioned in a chance interview that hearings might start from Monday to Wednesday next week. The Senate has allowed departments and agencies additional preparation time after some were not ready during earlier proceedings when the rules were temporarily suspended to expedite the budget process.
The target remains to complete the committee report by November to avoid delays in the budget's enactment. The Senate is adjusting its budget schedule as the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is anticipated to require full-day sessions by October.
Ejercito noted that Thursday's briefings would address the Judiciary and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) budgets. Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan is expected to defend the Judiciary budget, while Senator Panfilo Lacson will handle the DILG budget discussions. The Judiciary budget might conclude swiftly, whereas the DILG deliberations could take longer due to issues concerning the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and other related agencies.
Smaller agencies are scheduled for discussion on Friday, with the Department of Transportation and other agencies set for next week. The Finance panel aims to prevent schedule changes because of challenges in room availability and coordination with agencies amidst the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
Senator Ejercito mentioned that if Senator Loren Legarda's medical leave extends, he might need to assume responsibility for some agencies or reassign them. The Senate is anticipated to engage in extended impeachment proceedings in October, yet budget deliberations must proceed to ensure the 2027 General Appropriations Act is passed on time.
