Manila, Oct. 28 -- Senators may have to work through the Christmas holidays to ensure passage of the proposed 2027 national budget as the chamber braces for potentially difficult negotiations with the House of Representatives.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday said lawmakers are determined to approve and ratify the spending measure before year-end despite a tight legislative calendar complicated by the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

"Kaya kahit na Pasko, magtatrabaho kami para matapos yung budget (Even during Christmas, we will work to finish the budget)," Gatchalian told reporters in a chance interview at the Senate.

He recalled that senators also worked through the Christmas season last year to complet...