The House of Representatives has ratified the Bicameral Conference Committee report on the proposed P5.268-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) or national budget for 2023.
The House did so during plenary session at past 6 p.m. Monday night, Dec. 5.
House Speaker and Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez announced the bicam report as duly ratified after holding a simple voice vote (ayes vs. nayes). The affirmative votes won overwhelmingly.
The motion for ratification was made by Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe. It was also Dalipe who made thre motion to adjourn right after the ratification.
Meanwhile, the Senate ratified the same document at past 7:30 p.m. during its own plenary session.
HAVE YOU READ THIS?
The ratification of the bicam report by the two legislative chambers paves the way for the sending of the enrolled copy of the 2023 GAB to Malacañang for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
This means that the national budget is on track with getting enacted before Christmas, Dec. 25. That is, if President Marcos signs it before he leaves for Belgium next week.
Congress (House and the Senate) will begin their holiday break after Dec. 14.