MANILA, Philippines— With or without a special session, the 2019 national budget would not be approved within the year, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said on Wednesday. “Even if we are called to a special session next week, we don’t have enough time for amendments and more so for a bicam,” Sotto said in a text message. ADVERTISEMENT“At this point, it’s really January, with or without a special session,” he added. Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier said the Senate could not approve the budget unless the President calls for a special session. “The consensus in the Senate, both majority and minority, is not to rush the budget,” Drilon said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 12, 2018 07:07 UTC