STATEMENT OF SENATOR WIN GATCHALIAN ON THE SIGNING OF THE 2019 GAA

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, I am relieved that the 2019 budget has finally been signed, primarily because further delay would have caused adverse effects on our macroeconomy.

I also appreciate that the President has chosen to veto the changes made by the Lower House to the ratified version of the General Appropriations Bill. The veto is proof that the Senate was right all along in saying that the changes made were unconstitutional.

With the General Appropriations Act now enacted, the government can finally focus on catching up with the implementation of pending projects that were delayed because of the budget impasse.