The Senate is keen on approving the proposed P6.352-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2025 before the end of the year, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said on Monday, July 22.

But Escudero said the Senate will thoroughly scrutinize each provision in the next year’s budget to ensure that it can address the immediate needs and future challenges facing every Filipino.

“We will follow the schedule that will be agreed upon by the Senate, balancing the interest of each and every member to interpolate and debate the provisions,” Escudero said during a press briefing after opening the Third Regular Session.

“And following the timeline as well to make sure it will be approved before the end o the year and that the President will be able to sign it before the end of the year,” the Senate leader said.

In his opening speech for the third and final session of the 19^th Congress, Escudero cited the need for a shift in priorities to immediately address the needs of the Filipino people.

The Senate leader said he sees the necessity of easing the burden of overworkd and underpaid Filipinos.

“Our people are overworked, underpaid, and overburdened. A comfortable life has eluded them for generations,” Escudero lamented.

“Their dreams and struggles, more than any policy paper, provide what our legislative agenda should contain and inspire us to work hard,” he stressed.

Escudero noted the legislature’s current focus is on laws that primarily benefit big businesses.

“I have noticed that we have passed a raft of laws that ease the burden on big business, even ease of paying taxes, and ease of unloading bad loans—we have that,” he said.

As far as he is concerned, the Senate chief said there is absence of legislation aimed at improving essential aspects of daily life for the general population.

“Why can’t we pass a law that promotes ease of commuting and connecting? Ease of finishing school and finding work? Ease of healthcare for the sick? Ease of acquiring justice? Ease of growing food and feeding our families?” he asked.

Escudero said he is committed to ensuring that every law and budget decision is made with the best interests of the Filipino people in mind.

Nevertheless, he said the Senate has long been known for its meticulous approach to lawmaking, including trimming lengthy provisions, reducing projected costs, testing for constitutionality, and addressing stakeholders’ concerns.

“We do this because legislative haste often leads to time and resources wasted,” Escudero noted.

“Bills that are not forged in the fire of debate often come out half-baked. And these eventually require remedial sequels,” he pointed out.

Escudero further said he is committed to ensure that the Senate will deliver well-crafted laws to the President.

"This includes our decision on the annual budget. Because the people will sweat the tax that will fund it, and their children will bear the burden of paying the debt that will fill it," the lawmaker emphasized.

"In that case, shouldn't the trillions of pesos they will accumulate only bring comfort to their lives?" he pointed out.