MANILA — The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading on Monday the P1.645 trillion national budget for 2011 without significant amendments. Of the 193 lawmakers present in Monday’s session, 175 voted to approve House Bill 3101, while few from the minority and party-list groups opposed its approval. Read rest of story

MANILA — Senator Teofisto Guingona III on Thursday called for greater transparency in the national budget, saying the public should be able to see how government spends resources. He said information on the national budget has been “greatly restricted” even for legislators who are supposed to review it, adding the situation is worse for ordinary [...]

MANILA — After a two-week plenary deliberation, long debates on the cash transfer program, and a sudden turn of events leading to a call for the resignation of a Cabinet member, the House of Representatives approved on second reading the budget bill early Saturday morning. The budget was approved 3:03 a.m. The national expenditure program [...]

MANILA — A political think thank hits President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for not prioritizing social and economic welfare programs in the proposed P1.645-trillion budget for 2011. Ibon Foundation noted that the Aquino administration has backpedalled in its promise to provide basic social services by setting aside P357.1 billion for interest payments alone. Read rest [...]