MANILA, Oct 16 (Reuters) - The Philippines' lower
parliamentary house on Friday approved the 2021 budget, after a
leadership row nearly derailed debates on the spending plan
aimed at helping the economy recover from the coronavirus
pandemic.
The 4.5 trillion pesos ($92.5 billion) bill, approved by 257
lawmakers with six voting against, now passes to the senate for
further hearings.
A joint congressional session will then finalise the
spending programme before it is signed by President Rodrigo
Duterte, who called a special session of parliament last week
for budget hearings. ($1 = 48.65 Philippine pesos)