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[av_heading heading=’ABOVE THE LAW ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY AYIN DREAM D. APLASCA
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Tuesday, November 21, 2017
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I READ a news article about the proposed 2018 national budget. Its passage may be delayed as the Senate has to tackle in open session the amendments to the budget bill.
The budget bill is also known as the appropriation bill. When it becomes a law, its specific and primary function is to authorize the release of public funds from the treasury. Examples of this are public works act and the annual general appropriation act.
When it comes to its approval into law, this kind of bill is like any other kind of bill. Now comes the question on how bills in general are passed in Congress.
In general, the legislative proposal must originate from the House of Representatives. However, no matter where the legislative proposal originates, it can be introduced only by a member of Congress. House and Senate bills may have joint sponsorship and carry several members’ names.
Major legislations are often introduced in both houses in the form of companion bills. These kinds of bills are identical. The purpose of this is to speed up the legislative process by encouraging both chambers to consider the measures at the same time.
Once the bill has been introduced and numbered, it is now ready for reading. What are being read are the title and the author of the bill. The bill is then referred to the appropriate committee which hears and discusses the fate of most proposals.
The committee may approve or reject the legislation with or without amendments; rewrite the bill; reject it; or report it without recommendation.
In this stage, the committee submits reports describing the purpose and scope of the bill as well as the amendments and relevant information and materials.
Next is the second reading where the author delivers a speech. In this stage, members of Congress engage in debate, interpellation and rebuttals. Upon the approval of the second reading comes the third reading where printed copies of the bill’s final version are distributed to the members. This time, only the title of the bill is read on the floor. Nominal voting is held. Both Houses – the Senate and the House of Representatives – shall concur.
The final enrolled form is submitted to Malacañang. The President either signs it into law, or vetoes and sends it back to the Senate with a veto message.
In the present case, it is reported that the lawmakers would just have individual submissions of their amendments to the budget measure. They may not strictly follow the procedure to expedite the approval of the 2018 budget.
If this is the case, the above-mentioned process may not be strictly followed provided all must concur and that the end purpose of the law will be achieved.
I believe there would be no delay in the passage of the 2018 budget measure especially if the proposed realignment of funds would not create any problems.
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(Atty. Ayin Dream D. Aplasca practices her profession in Iloilo City. She may be reached thru ayindream.aplasca@gmail.com/PN)
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