The passage of the P5.268-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) proves that the 19th Congress’ House of Representatives has developed a stronger consensus compared to its predecessors, says Majority Leader Rep. Mannix Dalipe.
"The 2023 GAB–incidentally, the largest in the country's history—was approved by the House on third and final reading via nominal vote result of 289-3-0 (yes-no-abstain) on September 28 during the final session day before the month-long recess," Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Dalipe said on Sunday, Oct. 2.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/28/proposed-p5-268-t-national-budget-for-2023-hurdles-house/
This 2023 GAB was the first budget measure under the speakership of Rep. Martin Romualdez. Prior to the start of the 19th Congress, a “supermajority” of lawmakers rallied behind former Majority Leader Romualdez.
As per the nominal voting on the third reading approval of House Bill (HB) 4488 or the 2023 GAB, only three lawmakers voted no: Makabayan solons Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT-Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel.
Dalipe argues that the budget’s passage signals a stronger consensus among the majority and even the minority, citing previous budget nominal voting results which ranged from around five to nine no votes.
The new Majority Leader pointed out that Minority Leader Rep. Marcelino Libanan and even Independent Minority Leader Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman had both voted yes for the 2023 budget. Lagman previously castigated Libanan for being a shoo-in of the Majority.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/26/strong-cookies-dont-crumble-lagman-delivers-own-sona-rebuttal/
Meanwhile, Libanan offered his congratulations to the Majority bloc for not behaving “like a rampaging freight train” during the budget process. It is traditionally the role of the Minority and its leader to scrutinize the movements of the Majority bloc.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/30/minority-leader-libanan-gives-majority-bloc-the-ultimate-compliment/
After the passage of the measure, Speaker Romualdez recognized the efforts of both the Majority and the Minority in the swift passage of the 2023 GAB.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/29/romualdez-delivers-1st-accomplishment-report-of-19th-congress/