Manila, Oct. 6 -- Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III on Monday welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s decision not to certify the proposed 2026 national budget as urgent, saying it would allow lawmakers to thoroughly review the spending measure before final approval.

Sotto said he learned from Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III that the House of Representatives will adjourn on Oct. 13 without receiving a presidential certificate of urgency for the budget bill.

"Why are they adjourning on the 13th? Ang napag-usapan (What was discussed) is they will not be given by the President certificate of urgency. The President himself said that he does not want to shortcut the three-day rule so there will be time to read and review what is...