Press Release
November 23, 2007

IN ADDITION TO 11 MORE BILLS
Villar: Senate targets passage of P1.23 trillion budget by December

Villar: Senate targets passage of P1.23 trillion budget by December

Senate President Manny Villar today said the Senate is well on track in passing 12 more bills, including the proposed P1.23 trillion budget for 2008 with a timetable that will ensure a smooth but thorough scrutiny of the measures in the pipeline.

"We only have four weeks before we adjourn for Christmas break and we are devoting two weeks for the floor deliberation of the 2008 proposed budget before the bicameral conference committee meeting," Villar said.

"In addition to the nine bills passed on third reading in just two months of holding sessions, we are targeting the approval of 12 more bills to show our determination to provide our people with an abundant harvest of laws by yearend," he added.

Speaking with reporters during the weekly Kapihan sa Senado, Villar said the contentious issues that he expects to be tackled during the deliberation on the budget are the 'usual suspects' such as the lump sum/ special purpose funds of P112.73 billion and unprogrammed appropriation of P114.492 billion in the President's budget bill.

"Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile will sponsor the budget bill on Monday (November 26). From there, we will hold daily marathon sessions in the morning and the afternoon to give us ample time to scrutinize the budget. The senators will see to it that our people's hard-earned money will be judiciously and prudently appropriated," Villar said.

Villar pointed out that the Senate is on its way to passing the budget bill before the end of the year, the first time in many years. He added that despite the investigations, the Senate under his leadership is not losing focus on its mandate to pass laws.

Legislative proposals lined up for Senate approval are the following:

  •  The Personal Equity Retirement Act (PERA)

  • Human Rights Compensation Act

  • Act on the Credit Information Bureau

  • Act extending the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund

  • University of the Philippines Charter

  • World Health Day Act

  • Firemen and Police Additional Incentives Act

  • World War II Veterans Assistance Act

  • Act fixing the term of the Armed Forces Chief of Staff

  • Act Professionalizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines

  • Act Increasing Hazard Pay of Soldiers

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