House leaders resist 2027 budget recall, cite bicameral resolution process

MANILA — House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno and Bataan Representative Albert Garcia indicated they are not inclined to support a recall of the 2027 budget measure, which the chamber had recently approved. Speaking at a press briefing Monday, the two House leaders signaled confidence in the bicameral committee mechanism to address any issues raised by critics of the spending bill.

The lukewarm response to calls for budget recall reflects the House leadership's preference to proceed with the established legislative process rather than revisit floor votes. Puno and Garcia suggested that substantive concerns could be adequately handled during bicameral negotiations, where members of both the House and Senate work to reconcile differences in their respective versions of the measure.

The 2027 budget has drawn scrutiny from various quarters since its passage, prompting some lawmakers to consider requesting its recall for reconsideration. However, House leadership's stance makes such a move unlikely absent significant additional pressure.

The bicameral conference committee remains the next critical stage in the budget's legislative journey, where House and Senate negotiators will work to produce a unified version for final passage.