Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile vows passage of 2011 budget by Senate by Dec. 1

(Editor's note: The following is a transcript of an interview released by the Philippine Senate as a press release on the issue of the 2011 national budget. In the interview, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile says the national budget will be passed by the Senate by December 1, 2010. It is, however not clear if the December 1 passage deadline also includes the concurrence of the bicameral conference committee (Senate and House) and whether it will be signed into law as the General Appropriations Act of 2011 by President Benigno S. Aquino III. President Aquinio submitted the proposed national budget to Congress last July 26, 2010)

Press Release

November 23, 2010

Transcript of Interview of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

On the Budget Deliberations

Q Ano po ang timetable ninyo for the budget deliberations?

SP We are going to debate the budget but in the end we will have to pass it.

Q Daily po?

SP Yes, daily.

Q May hinahabol pong timetable sir?

SP We will finish it (inaudible) December 1.

Q Sir, ano po ang bottleneck between the versions of the two budgets? What would be the most significant change?

SP I don't think there would be too many changes. We will give the benefit of the doubt to the present administration. Next budget time, if we find anything amiss, then we will have to scrutinize it.

Q The CCT remains intact?

SP I think so, by and large.

Q Tataas po daw ang credit standing natin?

SP Siguro. Kanina, may pinag-usapan, 'yung VFA.

Q Meron pa po bang cuts sa budget?

SP I don't think so.

Q How about realignment?

SP Maybe here and there, we will punish the agencies that do not perform well.

(Source: http://senate.gov.ph/press_release/2010/1123_enrile1.asp)