QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The House of Representatives has officially concluded the plenary sponsorship and debate phase for House Bill No. 10858, known as the 2027 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos moved to terminate the floor discussions on Friday, September 25, marking the end of an 11-day review that began on September 15.
Over the course of the deliberations, lawmakers evaluated the proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget, examining the financial requests of 240 government agencies, departments, and state corporations, alongside 113 state universities and colleges.
The floor discussions proceeded largely without delay. While the budgets for the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Philippine Statistics Authority, and Department of Information and Communications Technology were briefly deferred, all three passed without further hurdles upon reconsideration.
Before the period of debates was formally closed, House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan delivered his traditional turno en contra speech, laying out the minority bloc’s primary concerns regarding the proposed allocation. Presiding officer and Representative Mercedes Alvarez carried the motion to terminate debates after no members raised objections.
The budget process now advances to the Budget Amendments Review Sub-Committee (BARSc). Designed as an open alternative to the former “small committee,” the BARSc will review and integrate individual legislative amendments during livestreamed proceedings.
According to House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Mika Suansing, the chamber aims to pass the 2027 General Appropriations Bill on its third and final reading by October 9.