By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senate President Chiz Escudero has announced that the Senate will prioritize the passage of the Rightsizing National Government Act before the 19th Congress adjourns.
Escudero recently convened a consultative meeting to gather inputs from agencies affected by the measure and to harmonize the various proposals being considered by the Senate.
He underscored the importance of the five-hour meeting in streamlining the process before the interpellation period begins next week.
“We aim to address most, if not all, potential concerns about the rightsizing bill during the interpellations. Once we receive submissions from the relevant agencies, we will incorporate them into the substitute bill and use them as the basis for our debates next week,” said Escudero, who authored and sponsors Senate Bill No. 890, or the Rightsizing National Government Act.
The House of Representatives approved its version of the rightsizing bill in March 2023. Once the Senate passes its own version, both chambers can convene a bicameral conference committee to reconcile any conflicting provisions.
Congress is set to resume sessions on January 13, with a break scheduled from February 8 to June 1 for the campaign period leading to the May 2025 midterm elections.
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