Making amends is never too late.

There is still sufficient time for the House of Representatives to restore the downgraded budget of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) before the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) is submitted for third reading.

After the approval on second reading of the GAB on September 12, 2017, Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, following tradition, proposed the creation of a small committee with plenary power to effect amendments to the GAB before its final version is voted upon on third reading.

The members of the small committee are Majority Leader Fariñas; Appropriations Chair Karlo Nograles; Minority Leader Danilo Suarez; Appropriations Vice Chairs Maricar Zamora, Ricky Sandoval, and Marc Sambar; and Ways and Means Chair Dakila Cua.

The small committee receives, collates and approves, once warranted, the various proposed amendments from the Members of the House. It can also introduce amendments on its own like reinstating the reduced budget of agencies.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN