Manila, Oct. 10 -- The Senate on Friday granted the House of Representatives' request to extend its plenary session to Oct. 13, to allow the lower chamber to approve the proposed 2026 national budget on third and final reading.

During the plenary session, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, acting as majority leader, moved to give the House sufficient time to complete its deliberations on the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) while complying with the Constitution's three-day rule between second and third readings.

"The resolution was read in the Senate's order of business before the suspension of session last Wednesday, Oct. 1. To allow the House of Representatives sufficient time to pass the General Appropriations Bill on second and third ...