By Genalyn Kabiling Malacañang is optimistic that the government would tap the 2019 national budget instead of a reenacted outlay in the next fiscal year. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Palace remained hopeful about the timely passage of the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019 amid reported delays. He said the Palace, particularly its legislative liaison office, is ready to work with Congress to address any concerns about the budget proposal for next year. "The House knows that this is the budget proposal of the Palace. And so, they will have to do their job. If there are questions on the budget, they will raise them and we will respond to them," he said in a Palace press briefing Asked if the Palace was convinced about the passage of the 2019 budget, Panelo said: "Of course." He dismissed speculations about an imminent reenacted budget next year. "We’re only speculating that it will not be passed. We have submitted a budget proposal, so it’s the House’ call," he said. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier said the government might operate on a reenacted budget in the first few weeks of 2019. The Senate could not reportedly approve the budget and have Congress ratify the measure by year-end due to the late approval of the House. The House of Representatives recently passed on third and final reading the proposed national budget for 2019 after months of deliberations. The budget approval was reportedly delayed amid concerns on the shift to cash-based budgeting as well as allegations of congressional insertions. Panelo, meantime, deferred to Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to address reports about the supposed budget requests made by the President to the House.