Recto urges Congress to break deadlock on 2006 budget

The House and Senate panels reconciling the two chambers conflicting versions of the 2006 national budget have been urged to convene immediately to break the deadlock over the crucial spending measure.

Are we going to mothball the budget or are we going to marshal it for national development? Sen. Ralph G. Recto, vice chairman of the committee on finance, said.

I think we should bring all the conferees to the negotiating table again.

Recto said the fate of the budget should not be left uncertain.

It has been hanging in suspended animation for a long time now. Congress must now make a definitive stand on the budget so that the executive branch will be properly notified and guided.

Theyve been waiting for a long time. It is just proper that we tell them the real score about the appropriations bill so they can make the corresponding adjustment as many of their programs are premised on the approval of the budget, Recto said.

It is better to bring the issues to the table. We must now exchange notes, not press statements, the chairman of Senate ways and means committee said.

But for the bicameral conference committee to achieve a breakthrough, there must be a softening on the hardline positions of the parties involved and let the spirit of give and take prevail.

To break the deadlock, Recto favors the restoration of P8B worth of funds for local governments which the Senate chopped off from the budgets version it approved in June.

If this is what it takes to jumpstart the budget, then an adjustment in our positions is warranted, he said.