Manila, Jan. 21 -- The Senate is set to pass the proposed PHP3.757-trillion 2019 national budget on Monday so it can reach President Rodrigo Duterte's table by first week of February, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said.
In an ambush interview, Sotto said senators would first finalize the amendments to the budget before they vote for the approval of the bill.
He said the bicameral conference committee meeting could be convened by Tuesday.
"The amendments were submitted over the last four days. Of course, there were amendments that were already being proposed weeks ago pero i-pa-finalize lahat mamaya (but everything will be finalized later)," Sotto said.
"And then right after that approve na namin on second and third reading para pwe...