House of Representatives Passes P5.768-Trillion Proposed National Budget for 2024
In a late-night session, the House of Representatives passed the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) or the proposed national budget for 2024. The bill, totaling P5.768 trillion, received final approval with 296 affirmative votes.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez confirmed the passage of the GAB, embodied in House Bill (HB) No. 8980, just after 10 p.m. The three-member Makabayan bloc, who have consistently called for the abolition of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) in the budget, voted against the measure. No other members opposed the bill.
The 2024 GAB, the largest in the history of the country, is the second full-year outlay of President Marcos’ administration. Thanks to a Palace certification of urgency, the House was able to pass the bill on both second and third readings in a single night.
Prior to the passage, Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Marlyn Primias-Agabas proposed the creation of a small committee to handle individual amendments to HB No. 8980. According to Agabas, this was in line with parliamentary precedent. The small committee includes Committee on Appropriations Chairman Rep. Zaldy Co, Senior Vice Chairperson Rep. Stella Quimbo, Committee on Rules Chairman Majority Leader Rep. Mannix Dalipe, and Minority Leader Rep. Marcelino Libanan.
Congressmen were instructed to submit their individual amendments to the small committee by September 29. Voting against the GAB were ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel.
