As the Philippine Congress resumed session on Monday, leaders in the House of Representatives have made ratifying the proposed PHP6.352 trillion ($111.4 billion) national budget for 2025 their top priority.
House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, representing Zamboanga’s 2nd District, expressed optimism on Sunday, stating that they hope the Senate will approve the budget proposal soon. Once passed, a bicameral conference committee – comprising members from both chambers – will work to finalize a unified version. “We hope to ratify the bicam report before our December 20th Christmas break,” Dalipe noted, underscoring the goal to complete the budget process before the year-end holidays.
Beyond the national budget, the House intends to continue its oversight functions, particularly through the quad committee, or “quadcom,” which investigates interconnected issues affecting the Philippines, including Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), illegal drug trafficking, money laundering, and extrajudicial killings.
“We remain steadfast in protecting our people from abuses and exposing acts of wrongdoing in government,” Dalipe said, highlighting the House’s commitment to these investigations.
The Quadcom is scheduled to hold its 10th hearing on November 7th, with expectations that former President Rodrigo Duterte will attend the proceedings. The Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability will also review the confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President, aiming to ensure transparency and proper use of taxpayer money.
The House will also prioritize several key legislative measures on the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority list. These include the Budget Modernization Bill, the National Defense Bill, proposed amendments to the Agrarian Reform Law, and adjustments to the Long-Term Lease Law for foreign investors—each essential to advancing economic stability and defense capabilities in the Philippines.
In a separate update, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Sunday commended the PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) for a recent successful operation that dismantled a major scam hub in Manila, deemed the “mother of all scam hubs.” Conducted on October 29th, the operation highlighted the ACG’s commitment to disrupting criminal activities linked to online scams, illegal gambling, and human trafficking.
“This operation stands as a testament to the dedication of our PNP-ACG personnel, whose relentless pursuit of justice has exposed and disrupted a significant hub of criminal activity,” Marbil stated.
The raid took place at the 40-story Century Peak Tower on Santa Monica and Adriatico Streets in Ermita, Manila, following validated intelligence reports. During the operation, authorities arrested 69 foreign nationals, underscoring the continued efforts to address criminal syndicates exploiting online platforms for illegal operations.
