WEBVTT asr-000018 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:45.320 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: The 2027 proposed expenditure program of the Senate of the Philippines, Senate Electoral Tribunal, and Commission on Appointments. At this juncture, the Chair recognizes the Committee Secretary to call in our resource persons. asr-000019 00:08:45.320 --> 00:09:30.000 Committee Secretary: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon. For the briefing on the proposed FY 2027 budgets of the Senate, the Senate Electoral Tribunal, and the Commission on Appointments, we would like to acknowledge our resource persons. From the Senate of the Philippines, we have Secretary Renato Bantug, together with Attorney Arnel Jose Banuez, the Deputy Secretary for Administrative and Financial Services, and Director Rio Samanala, Director III of the Legislative Budget Service. For the Senate Electoral Tribunal or SET, we have Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo, together with Attorney Eleanor Francisco Anunciacion, the Deputy Secretary, and Director Eloisa Marquez, Director III of the Financial Management Service. From the Commission on Appointments or CA, we have Secretary Myra Marie Villarica, together with Deputy Secretary for Legal Affairs, asr-000020 00:09:30.000 --> 00:10:00.000 Committee Secretary: Attorney Alfredo Alvin S. Cruz, Deputy Secretary Lyndon Paul Das, Deputy Secretary for Administration Attorney Arturo Paras, Deputy Secretary for Investigation and Appointment Review, and Director Elsie Monticello, Director III of the Budget Service. We have also invited representatives from DBM and COA. From DBM we have Assistant Director Lulu Vispo, Ms. Mary Lou Lagarde, and Mr. John Paul Maria P. Faigal. From COA we have Ms. Cynthia Ferrer, Supervising Auditor. Thank you, Mr. Chair. asr-000021 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:30.000 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Thank you. Good afternoon, everyone. Today, as we discuss the 2027 budget of the Senate, the Senate Electoral Tribunal, and the Commission on Appointments, while these agencies represent a relatively small fraction of the overall 2027 National Expenditures Program, the work that happens here is vital to keeping our democracy running smoothly. For the Senate, every peso allocated must directly strengthen our mandate to craft meaningful laws and ensure that public funds across all sectors are spent wisely. asr-000051 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:40.020 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: For the SET, proper support ensures that electoral disputes involving the Senate are resolved swiftly, impartially, and fairly to protect the integrity of the vote. asr-000052 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:46.620 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Finally, the proper funding for the Commission on Appointments enables us to thoroughly vet presidential appointees. asr-000053 00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:50.280 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: As we go through today's briefing, our focus is simple. asr-000054 00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:55.300 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: To make sure that each agency gets the support they need to serve the public effectively. asr-000055 00:10:55.460 --> 00:10:55.780 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Thank you. asr-000056 00:10:55.780 --> 00:11:04.160 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: So I now call on Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. to present the 2027 proposed expenditure program of the Senate of the Philippines. asr-000057 00:11:04.820 --> 00:11:13.820 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Then after, Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo for the Senate Electoral Tribunal, and lastly, Secretary Myra Marie Villarica for the Commission on Appointments. asr-000058 00:11:14.640 --> 00:11:19.420 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Please keep your presentations brief so that we can already wrap up today. asr-000059 00:11:20.560 --> 00:11:22.000 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Secretary Batug, you now have the floor. asr-000060 00:11:22.840 --> 00:11:24.420 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: Thank you, and good afternoon, Your Honor. asr-000061 00:11:24.420 --> 00:11:25.740 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: Today, we respectfully present. asr-000062 00:11:25.780 --> 00:11:42.660 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: We respectfully present the 2027 budget context of the Senate of the Philippines in support of its constitutional mandate to legislate, to provide service to the people, and sustain an institution that is fiscally responsible and accessible, transparent, and responsive to the people. asr-000063 00:11:43.880 --> 00:11:54.860 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: In 2025, the Senate held 68 session days and recorded significant legislative activity, with a total of 1,694 bills and 313 resolutions filed. asr-000064 00:11:55.780 --> 00:11:59.100 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: These efforts produced meaningful legislative outcomes. asr-000065 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:06.940 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: In 2025, 197 bills became Republic Acts, while additional measures advanced through the legislative process. asr-000066 00:12:07.760 --> 00:12:20.500 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: Key laws included measures on government optimization, judiciary fiscal autonomy, digital governance, telecommunications connectivity, teacher-school leader career progression, and reforms of right-of-way acquisition. asr-000067 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:25.700 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: In 2026, the Senate sustained its legislative momentum by advancing asr-000068 00:12:25.780 --> 00:12:32.180 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: measures that address infrastructure delivery, public protection, education access, and economic concerns. asr-000069 00:12:32.780 --> 00:12:38.080 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: From January to June 2026, the Senate recorded an additional 33 session days asr-000070 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:44.480 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: with a total of 653 bills and 249 resolutions filed. asr-000071 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:49.320 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: As of October 15, 2026, 13 measures had become Republic Acts. asr-000072 00:12:49.320 --> 00:12:53.320 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: A further 16 measures had been transmitted for presidential approval, asr-000073 00:12:53.320 --> 00:12:59.840 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: 6 pending in the Conference Committee, 38 approved on 3rd reading, and 19 pending 2nd reading. asr-000074 00:13:00.420 --> 00:13:04.500 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: Among the notable outcomes were the suspension of the excise tax on petroleum products, asr-000075 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:08.680 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: which provides a policy mechanism for responding to fuel price pressures, asr-000076 00:13:09.300 --> 00:13:15.920 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: education-centered reforms through measures for last mile or geographically isolated and disadvantaged area schools, asr-000077 00:13:15.920 --> 00:13:22.740 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: and expanding opportunity for quality tertiary education, especially for underserved communities. asr-000078 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:26.920 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: The measures still progressing through the legislative process also demonstrate asr-000079 00:13:26.920 --> 00:13:31.000 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: a continuing commitment on addressing practical barriers to development, asr-000080 00:13:31.280 --> 00:13:36.580 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: protecting the public interest, and widening access to essential services. asr-000081 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:43.260 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: Through all these, the Senate's legislative outcomes relied and depended on institutional support, asr-000082 00:13:43.260 --> 00:13:50.880 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: which must be strengthened and sustained so that the Senate can continue translating priority measures into concrete public benefit. asr-000083 00:13:51.680 --> 00:13:53.160 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: Thus, for the years 2025, asr-000084 00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:58.680 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: and 2026, the Senate also continued strengthening institutional policy and administration asr-000085 00:13:59.100 --> 00:14:02.560 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: through policy orders covering Senate proper and the Senate Secretariat. asr-000086 00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:07.760 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: We expanded digital transformation initiatives that improve legislation, asr-000087 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:12.680 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: public access, transparency, visitor services, and internal systems. asr-000088 00:14:13.560 --> 00:14:18.580 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: Employee services, information services, and organizational development were likewise enhanced. asr-000089 00:14:19.060 --> 00:14:24.310 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: On fiscal performance, the Senate maintained prudent use of public funds. asr-000092 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:27.460 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: For 2025, total allotment asr-000093 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:29.040 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: was 10.1 billion asr-000094 00:14:29.040 --> 00:14:31.100 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: with 8.1 billion in asr-000095 00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:33.200 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: obligations incurred, equivalent asr-000096 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:35.380 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: to an 80.22% asr-000097 00:14:35.380 --> 00:14:36.420 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: obligation rate. asr-000098 00:14:37.280 --> 00:14:39.260 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: As of October 14, 2026, asr-000099 00:14:39.400 --> 00:14:41.520 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: the Senate had obligated 6.5 asr-000100 00:14:41.520 --> 00:14:43.560 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: billion out of 8.8 asr-000101 00:14:43.560 --> 00:14:45.560 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: billion allotment, or to date, asr-000102 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:46.600 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: a total asr-000103 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:50.380 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: of 74.41% asr-000104 00:14:50.380 --> 00:14:51.500 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: obligation rate. asr-000105 00:14:53.260 --> 00:14:55.400 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: Our financial asr-000106 00:14:55.400 --> 00:14:57.220 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: stewardship was also affirmed by the asr-000107 00:14:57.220 --> 00:14:58.820 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: Commission on Audit, which issued an asr-000108 00:14:58.820 --> 00:14:59.860 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: unmodified asr-000109 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:13.560 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: opinion on the fairness of the Senate's 2025 financial statements. And it is also our good fortune that no audit suspensions, disallowances, and charges were made for that particular fiscal year. asr-000110 00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:38.980 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: For 2027, the National Expenditure Program provides 7.7 billion for the Senate. This is 187.5 million or 2.5% higher than the 2026 NEP, but 863 million or 10.1% below the 2026 General Appropriations Act. asr-000111 00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:43.540 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: We are respectfully submitting for the asr-000112 00:15:43.560 --> 00:16:09.500 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: For the consideration of the Honorable Committee, various budget permutations of the 2027 Senate Budget that will enable the Senate to sustain its constitutional mandate, to legislate effectively, provide accessible and transparent public service, modernize institutional system, maintain responsible management of public resources, while sustaining personal requirements, essential operating needs, and the delivery of legislative and public-facing services. asr-000113 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:13.420 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: Our budget permutations would include, at the maximum, asr-000114 00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:19.260 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: at a level provided for in the NEP, and as low as 2 billion less than the NEP. asr-000115 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:25.280 Senate Secretary Renato N. Bantug, Jr.: With that, Your Honor, we respectfully submit our budget proposal for the Honorable Committee's consideration. asr-000116 00:16:25.280 --> 00:16:43.160 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Thank you, Secretary Bantug. Just for the record, before we ask Secretary Luis Geronimo and Secretary Mayra, just on the Senate, we are practicing what we preach. asr-000117 00:16:43.560 --> 00:16:56.680 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: We are one of the very few agencies that has a lower budget for 2027. asr-000118 00:16:56.680 --> 00:17:02.470 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Because of the very limited fiscal space. asr-000119 00:17:02.760 --> 00:17:05.360 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: So we are already, you know, but we practice austerity. asr-000120 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:12.140 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Okay, so next is Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo. asr-000121 00:17:13.560 --> 00:17:15.460 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Of Senate Electoral Tribunal. asr-000122 00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:17.680 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Now, the floor is yours. asr-000123 00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:19.120 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: Good afternoon, Your Honor. asr-000124 00:17:19.760 --> 00:17:24.900 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: We are happy to present our budget proposal for fiscal year 2027. asr-000125 00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:37.900 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: In keeping and in faithful compliance of its mandate as a sole judge of all contests relating to the election returns and qualifications of the members of the Senate under Article 6, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution, asr-000126 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:42.800 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: the defining standard for the Senate Electoral Tribunal is readiness. asr-000127 00:17:42.800 --> 00:17:43.400 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: to fulfill asr-000128 00:17:43.560 --> 00:17:43.800 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: its asr-000129 00:17:43.800 --> 00:17:45.760 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: mandate as an adjudicative body. asr-000130 00:17:45.760 --> 00:18:03.060 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: In keeping with this, we are proud to note that in years past, particularly in the most recent year, the Tribunal has earned an unmodified opinion from the Commission on Audit, a testament to its faithfulness in its accountability in guarding the finances of the Republic. asr-000131 00:18:03.060 --> 00:18:11.280 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: Your Honor, in keeping with our standard to maintain readiness to discharge our adjudicative function, asr-000132 00:18:12.040 --> 00:18:13.540 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: the Tribunal is proud. asr-000133 00:18:13.560 --> 00:18:15.840 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: The Tribunal is proud of how, at present, for the first time. asr-000134 00:18:15.860 --> 00:18:17.080 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Sorry to interrupt you. asr-000135 00:18:18.020 --> 00:18:19.500 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: I'm quick here. asr-000136 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.680 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: We're direct to the budget. asr-000137 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:21.500 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: Yes, Your Honor. asr-000138 00:18:21.840 --> 00:18:25.320 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: So that will save everyone's time. asr-000139 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:26.720 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: It's okay. asr-000140 00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:28.560 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: We know all of these things already. asr-000141 00:18:29.780 --> 00:18:42.120 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: So, our proposed budget, Your Honor, maintains fidelity with the budget that we have secured from the previous fiscal year. asr-000142 00:18:43.560 --> 00:18:58.960 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: Particularly, the Tribunal was granted an increase in its personal services allocation, despite something that it has secured, despite no increase having been given to it over the course of an entire decade. asr-000143 00:18:59.580 --> 00:19:09.100 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: Unfortunately, the current national expenditure program does not yet include the increase which was already reflected last year. asr-000144 00:19:09.100 --> 00:19:13.100 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: And therefore, our humble request is that this item. asr-000145 00:19:13.560 --> 00:19:28.460 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: which has been secured in the previous year be restored in order to secure the proper level of benefits and compensation for our employees. asr-000146 00:19:28.780 --> 00:19:42.900 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: Likewise, Your Honor, in view of the very recent experiences of the Tribunal, where the safety and security of its personnel were severely compromised by the state of its building and its premises, we are seeking a budget to asr-000147 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:43.420 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: to undertake asr-000148 00:19:43.420 --> 00:20:12.420 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: the most urgent repairs and improvements to be undertaken for our premises. Also in keeping with our desire to be future ready and to be capable of handling the adjudicative mandate of the tribunal, we are proposing a budget which will adequately cover our needs for information and communications technology asr-000149 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:37.940 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: upgrading as well as for other necessary expenses relating to the upskilling of our employees, their welfare including HMO coverage and other initiatives relating to future readiness such as digitization and digitalization. With that, Your Honor, we are thankful for this opportunity. We humbly submit our budget proposal for fiscal year 2027. Thank you, Your Honor. asr-000150 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:40.940 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Thank you, Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo. asr-000151 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:49.840 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: So, yung budget natin for next year also is lower than this year's budget, kung hindi mabibigay. asr-000151-split-2 00:20:49.840 --> 00:20:50.560 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: Yes, Your Honor. asr-000151-split-3 00:20:50.560 --> 00:21:09.960 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: If the requested increase is not granted, but basically talaga ano rin tayo, kumbaga we also practice austerity. Iba kasi lalaki ng mga increases eh. So, thank you sa SET natin, Sec. Luis Geronimo. asr-000152 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:21.920 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: And last but not least, for Commission on Appointments, Secretary Myra Marie Villarica. Ma'am, you are now recognized. asr-000153 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:28.680 Commission on Appointments Secretary Myra Marie D. Villarica: Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, Your Honor. Thank you very much. I'll be very brief upon your instruction, Your Honor. asr-000154 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:42.880 Commission on Appointments Secretary Myra Marie D. Villarica: Your Commission on Appointments, in the performance of its constitutional mandate, initially requested and proposed a budget proposal, as submitted to the DBM, in the amount of 1.9, roughly approximately 1.9 billion. asr-000155 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:59.760 Commission on Appointments Secretary Myra Marie D. Villarica: However, the DBM only recommended in its NEP for 2027, 1.137 approximately billion with a variance of about 847,256,866,000 asr-000156 00:21:59.760 --> 00:22:13.400 Commission on Appointments Secretary Myra Marie D. Villarica: In the GAA of 2026, which is our current budget, Your Honor, we received approximately 1.714 billion as compared to the NEP of 2027, which is again, as I pointed out asr-000157 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:21.140 Commission on Appointments Secretary Myra Marie D. Villarica: earlier, only 1.137659 billion, with a variance of about 576 or so million. asr-000158 00:22:21.520 --> 00:22:43.140 Commission on Appointments Secretary Myra Marie D. Villarica: Our proposed, Your Honor, budget and upon the instruction of our own Chairperson and Senate President, Win Gatchalian, and also with the reminder of the Chairman of the Finance Committee that there's very limited fiscal space, we've been instructed to trim and streamline our budget and to reduce our requested augmentation. asr-000159 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:59.420 Commission on Appointments Secretary Myra Marie D. Villarica: So for our proposed budget for the year 2027, we have reduced our request for augmentation to only a total of 1.733451548 billion pesos. asr-000160 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:09.460 Commission on Appointments Secretary Myra Marie D. Villarica: That's only, Your Honor, an increase of 1.1% from our present GAA of 2026 budget, Your Honor. That is all. Thank you very much. asr-000161 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:12.660 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: How much is that, Secretary? asr-000162 00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:17.480 Commission on Appointments Secretary Myra Marie D. Villarica: The request for augmentation. It's only now asr-000162-split-2 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.720 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: 595. asr-000162-split-3 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:22.560 Commission on Appointments Secretary Myra Marie D. Villarica: 595, 792, 548,000, Your Honor. asr-000163 00:23:22.580 --> 00:23:23.760 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Okay. Just for the record. asr-000165 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:34.200 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Sec. Luis Jose [unclear], for the record, yung sa SET nga, yung inyong pong for augmentation. [unclear] just for us so that we asr-000166 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:39.780 Senate Electoral Tribunal Secretary Luis Jose Geronimo: Our request for augmentation, Your Honors, in the total of 93.506 million, Your Honor. asr-000167 00:23:40.280 --> 00:23:43.240 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Okay. We'll take note of that. So thank you. asr-000168 00:23:43.420 --> 00:24:13.400 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: I have some questions here, but I will just forward it to all of you, to the Senate, to the CA and to the SET. So please prepare for this just in case it will be asked in plenary. So pakihanda na lang din sa mga index cards so that it will help, it will help hasten the defense of your respective budget. [unclear] ko na lang po sa inyo asr-000169 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:18.820 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Yung mga questions and issues that may arise during the plenary. asr-000170 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:27.880 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: So with that, the Committee Chair would like to thank everyone, especially our esteemed resource persons, for actively participating in our discussions today. asr-000171 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:40.360 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: There being no further questions, the budget of the Senate of the Philippines, the Senate Electoral Tribunal, and the Commission on Appointments are now deemed, submitted for plenary's consideration, asr-000172 00:24:40.360 --> 00:24:43.360 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: subject to the discussion and submission of the documents requested. asr-000173 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:45.700 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: Thank you very much. asr-000174 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:47.700 Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito: This briefing is hereby suspended.