President Marcos Jr. certifies as "urgent" the proposed P5.268 trillion national budget for 2023.

In a letter to House Speaker Martin Romualdez,  Marcos said the immediate enactment of [General Appropriations Bill shall sustain] "continuous government operations following the end of the current fiscal year, strengthen…effective response to the pandemic, and support…national economic recovery."

The certificate of urgency would fast-track the bill's series of comprehensive reviews.

Romualdez guaranteed that the chamber is right on track with its schedule:

"The certification from Malacañang will enable the House of Representatives to approve the 2023 GAB on second and third reading on the same day which we set on Wednesday."

House leaders earlier committed to pass the national budget on the third and final reading before Congress' first recess on 1 October.