By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has certified House Bill No. 10800, the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2025, as an urgent measure.
In a letter addressed to Senate President Chiz Escudero, Marcos explained that the certification aims to ensure the timely allocation of resources for critical government functions.
“[T]o ensure the uninterrupted operation of essential government services, guarantee funding for vital initiatives, and allow the government to effectively address emerging challenges,” he stated.
As a result of this certification, the Senate can bypass the usual three-day rule when the budget is approved on second reading.
The Senate aims to complete plenary debates on the 2025 budget by Tuesday, with plans to pass it on second and third reading next week.
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