MANILA — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said the Senate is targeting Dec. 29 for the ratification of the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) to ensure lawmakers approve a complete and fully verified enrolled bill, rather than just a summary of the bicameral report.

“Sa Lunes we will resume… ang usapan namin ni (On Monday we will resume… my understanding with) Majority Leader [Juan Miguel Zubiri] I will entertain a motion to extend the suspension until the 29th,” Sotto said.

He explained that the extension would allow the budget offices of both chambers sufficient time to finish printing and consolidating the enrolled bill along with its supporting documents.

Sotto emphasized that ratification should proceed only once the enrolled bill is finalized and clearly laid out, noting that the entire budget process — from sponsorship to bicameral deliberations — was conducted openly and made accessible to the public and media.

“Ayokong mag-ratify kami ng summary lang… ang gusto ko mag-ratify kami ‘yung buo, enrolled bill, ‘yung halos pipirmahan na lang ng Presidente (I don’t want us to ratify just a summary… what I want us to ratify is the complete enrolled bill, the one that is already ready for the President’s signature),” he said.

Asked about the possibility of a reenacted budget, Sotto said any delays would likely be brief since both chambers have already completed work on the General Appropriations Bill.

“Kaya naman siguro (It should be manageable),” he said, expressing confidence that the budget would be signed without major disruption. He added that the President has ample authority to manage the budget, including the power to veto items or withhold the release of funds if needed.

(PNA)