House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved on third and final reading on Wednesday night, Sept. 25 the P6.352-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2025--the biggest outlay yet in the country’s history. 

Deputy Speaker Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Fracso, the presiding officer, declared the budget measure--House Bill (HB) No.10800--as gaining the chamber’s final nod at past 8:30 p.m. following nominal voting during Wednesday's session. 

A total of 285 House members voted "yes" to HB No.10800, while three voted "no". There were no abstentions. 

Wednesday's approval also capped a grueling eight-week budget process in the House, which began with the Committee on Appropriations' discussions on the P6.352-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP)--the precursor of the GAB--last Aug. 5. 

The 2025 GAB is the final budget measure of the 19th Congress. 

The lawmakers will go on a six-week recess starting Thursday, Sept. 26. They won't convene again until Monday, Nov. 4.

As what is customary, Malacañang declared HB No.10800 as an urgent piece of legislation. This allowed for the back-to-back passage of the bill on second reading and on third reading Wednesday. 

Speaking of customary, the House leadership also formed the traditional "small committee" that will be tasked to collate the 300-plus strong chamber's individual amendments to the proposed budget. 

The members of the small committee are Majority Leader Zamboanga City 1st district Rep. Mannix Dalipe, Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan, Appropriations Committee Chairman Ako-Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, and Appropriations Committee Senior Vice Chairperson Marikina City 2nd district Rep. Stella Quimbo. 

Upbeat from the timely passage of the GAB, House Speaker Martin Romualdez prodded his colleagues during his speech to “continue riding this wave of hard work and rest with the satisfaction that no matter what, we will always succeed".