Category: Philippine Star

Playoff qualifiers San Juan and Rizal Province closed their elimination round campaign with victories over also-ran Marikina and Bacolod on Monday in the Manny Pacquiao MPBL 2025 Season at the Marikina Sports Center.

The San Juan Knights trounced the Marikina Shoemasters, 78-61, to improve to 26-3 and finish No. 3 in the North Division behind the Abra Weavers (27-1) and the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (27-2) in the round-robin elimination phase.

The first batch of criminal and administrative charges was finally filed against resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and 17 others over a reported anomalous flood control project found in Oriental Mindoro. Less than three weeks after it was organized, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) initiated the filing of these cases before the Office of the Ombudsman last Monday.

The three-man ICI headed by retired Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. acted on the findings of the team led by Department of Public Works and Highways acting Secretary Vivencio ‘Vince’ Dizon, accompanied by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who was then the ‘special adviser’ to the ICI, that conducted the ocular inspection of the project site pointed out to them by Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor.

After Malacañang spokesperson Claire Castro seemingly cast doubt on his impartiality, Magalong resigned. He was replaced by retired police chief Rodolfo Azurin as ICI investigator and ‘special adviser.’

The ICI’s first ever interim report was personally delivered by Reyes to the Office of the Ombudsman. The criminal charges included violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019), malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents by a public officer (Article 217 in relation to Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code) and violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184). Co’s co-accused included DPWH district engineers and the private contractor of the project.

According to the ICI report, Co has been recommended to be charged for receiving ‘unwarranted benefits’ in relation to the construction projects of Sunwest Inc., one of the 15 contractors that have cornered P545 billion worth of flood control projects of the DPWH budget for the past three years.

‘While Cong. Co claims to have divested his interests, reports suggest he may potentially retain beneficial ownership. The Commission underscores that additional evidence is needed to establish any definitive connection,’ the ICI noted.

After submission of the ICI interim report, Reyes immediately left the Office of the Ombudsman and declined media interviews. But speaking for the ICI, its executive director Brian Keith Hosaka told reporters the ICI chairman is merely trying to ‘prudently’ and ‘carefully’ work quietly to ferret out the truth on the multibillion-peso flood control scandal. Hosaka further sought to assuage public concern over the ICI proceedings being conducted behind closed doors. He stressed the Commission is striving to shield itself from political interference, saying: ‘We cannot allow the ICI to be used by any political agenda or leverage.’

In Executive Order (EO) No. 94 signed on Sept.11, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (PBBM) created the ICI as a fact-finding body. Among other things, PBBM empowered the ICI to investigate the alleged ‘ghost’ flood control and other infra projects for the past 10 years. The President subsequently named Reyes to chair the ICI after he earlier appointed former DPWH secretary Rogelio ‘Babes’ Singson and SGV and Co. country managing partner Rossana A. Fajardo as Commission members.

Yesterday, Reyes signed in behalf of the ICI a memorandum of agreement with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) in its effort to facilitate freezing of bank deposits and other assets of Co and other individuals implicated in various alleged ‘ghost’ flood control and substandard infra projects.

The current ICI is well-intentioned but is not good enough. It lacks subpoena and prosecutorial powers. As stated in EO 94, the ICI can be assisted by the ombudsman, Department of Justice (DOJ) and its attached agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and some other government agencies that it may call upon for assistance.

While the ICI doing its own work, the Senate decided to continue with its on-going ‘inquiry in aid of legislation’ into the alleged ‘ghost’ flood control projects of the DPWH. However, its parallel congressional investigation being done by the House infra committee headed by Bicol Saro party-list Rep.Terry Ridon has been called off upon the imprimatur of newly installed Speaker, Isabela Rep. Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III.

Before it closed down its public hearings, dismissed DPWH district engineers of Bulacan Brice Hernandez tagged former Senate Senate pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada and majority leader Joel Villanueva. At the last House hearing, Hernandez pointed to Estrada and Villanueva as ‘proponents’ who downloaded their flood control projects in the province in the 2025 budget. On the other hand, one of the 15 DPWH contractors admitted he was an election campaign donor of ex-Senate president Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero.

Conducting its own motu proprio investigation, the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, currently headed by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson, has conducted six public hearings so far as of last Monday. On that day, a ‘surprise witness,’ retired Marine Sgt. Orly Guteza, testified under oath that the alleged kickbacks from these DPWH projects were delivered to the Valle Verde residence of Co and that of former speaker Martin Romualdez. Earlier that day, retired DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified that a businessman-friend of Escudero acted as the alleged go-between of the ex-Senate chief in securing funds for projects in the DPWH budget.

With these very serious accusations, how can we expect an impartial conduct of congressional investigations when ‘almost all senators’ – as Lacson admitted – are involved in the budget mess? In the same way, as Lacson cited, there were many House members who got the bulk of budget ‘insertions.’ So how can the House investigate itself when many of their 316 or so colleagues in the present 20th Congress were re-elected from the 19th Congress that was behind the mangled 2025 budget?

Summing up, the first-best solution is to have a strong, unbiased, fearless ombudsman in the mold of the late senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, whose ninth death anniversary was observed last Monday. There are 17 candidates being vetted by the Judicial and Bar Council in the search for the new ombudsman.

The solution is to prosecute corrupt politicians, government executives and corrupt contractors; jail them – and make them pay.

Jake Figueroa showed why he is the top dog of National University.

Figueroa scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to tow the Bulldogs past the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 76-69, in their UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament matchup Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

The small forward shot 6-of-12 from the floor, including the dagger triple, while hauling down nine rebounds and dishing out two assists.

NU thus remained spotless through three games, joining the Ateneo Blue Eagles on top of the standings.

After Gelo Crisostomo’s short stab gave UST a 65-62 lead with 7:22 remaining, NU’s Gelo Santiago and Figueroa teamed up and scored four straight points to push the Bulldogs 66-65.

Mark Llemit then put UST up front anew, 67-66, before the two squads went on a dry spell.

Santiago and Figueroa broke the drought with back-to-back shots to give NU a 70-67 lead.

Nic Cabanero hit a jumper to inch the Tigers, playing in their own stomping grounds, closer.

But on the other end, Figueroa sized up Collins Akowe and hit the dagger 3-pointer to push NU ahead for good, 73-69.

In the next possession, UST point guard Forthsky Padrigao hoisted up an off-balanced triple that missed everything.

Free throws by Paul Francisco and Steve Nash Enriquez iced the game.

Omar John and PJ Palacielo chipped in 10 markers for the Bulldogs.

Cabanero paced UST with 19 points, six rebounds and an assist, but shot 8-of-19 from the floor. Amiel Acido backstopped with 18 points while Mark Llemit had 12.

Collins Akowe, a product of the NU Bullpups program where he won the UAAP Most Valuable Player and Best Foreign Student-Athlete awards, was held to just five points and eight rebounds after dominating in his first two collegiate games.

Before the contest, Akowe averaged 24.5 points and 18 rebounds per game.

UST now dropped to 2-1 this season. It will try to bounce back as it takes on still-winless University of the East Red, while NU will aim to keep its streak against defending champion University of the Philippines.

Both games will be held this Saturday, October 4, at the same venue.

Host-actor Edu Manzano reminded politicians that they are sworn to serve the Filipino people, who are growing tired of widespread corruption and needless politicking.

Edu has been filling his social media pages with posts taking digs at flood control project contractors and their families supposedly flaunting their wealth following outrage over flood control anomalies.

The public anger has only risen after several politicians were tagged in the controversies, allegedly even receiving kickbacks from these projects.

Among the host-actor’s latest Facebook posts was a letter he said was making the rounds on Ateneo groups addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and members of the 20th Congress.

It should be noted that Edu is a graduate of De La Salle University and also dabbled in politics, serving one term as Makati vice mayor.

“Enough of the polite lies. This letter is not wrapped in diplomacy, because you no longer deserve it. This is anger in ink, disgust in words, a mirror of the nation’s fury you pretend not to see,” the letter began.

“Each of you swore an oath – not to yourselves, not to your dynasties, but to the people. Yet what have you delivered? Endless committee hearings that go nowhere, speeches bloated with hot air, budgets swallowed whole by ghost projects and cronies. You strut like statesmen but you crawl like parasites. You treat government not as a sacred duty, but as your personal ATM.”

The letter brought up the recent protests in Nepal and Indonesia, where people rose up against their respective governments who thought themselves “untouchable.”

“But rage, once ignored, becomes revolution. Hindi ninyo kayang takasan ang galit ng taong bayan,” the letter pointed out.

The topic pivoted to issues in the Philippines, including flooding, hospitals and classrooms lacking supplies, farmers in debt, and workers dealing with inflation, all while politicians “bicker over pork, positions, and contracts.”

“Every motorcade of black SUVs you ride in is a slap in the face of the millions forced to commute like sardines. Every peso stolen is food stolen from the mouths of children,” it continued.

The letter said legislators and the president were “sitting on a volcano” and the fire beneath was being fed every day that the issues are stalled, every peso pocketed, and every law twisted for personal gain.

“Do not mistake Filipino patience for weakness. Hindi kami hangal. The day will come when no convoy, no palace walls, no title before your name will save you from the wrath of those you betrayed.”

“Do your mandated work – and do it now. Not for applause, not for legacy, but because you have bled this nation long enough. Restore decency, protect the treasury, legislate for the people or step aside before you are swept aside.”

The letter reminded again of the Nepal and Indonesia protests and how Filipinos could relate.

“Learn from Nepal. Learn from Indonesia. Or prepare to be remembered not as leaders, but as the carcasses of a corrupt empire finally torn down,” it ended, signed off by “The Filipino People You Mock, Rob, and Underestimate.”

As Tropical Depression ‘Paolo’ strengthens and approaches the Philippine land, PAGASA raised Wind Signal No. 1 over four areas in Catanduanes on Wednesday, October 1.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau last located Paolo about 665 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 70 kph.

The tropical depression is moving west-northwest at 25 kph and is expected to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora by Friday, October 3.

PAGASA hoisted Wind Signal No. 1 over Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, and Viga in Catanduanes, signaling winds of 39 to 61 kph and intermittent rains anticipated within the next 36 hours.

Under the lowest wind signal, little to no infrastructure damage is expected. However, the state weather bureau urged residents to immediately inspect their homes for necessary repairs and clean up drainage systems to prevent possible flooding.

In its latest weather advisory, PAGASA also said that the tropical cyclone is predicted to bring heavy rain across several provinces in Northern Luzon from October 2 to October 3.

Rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters:

Cagayan

Isabela

Quirino

Aurora

Apayao

Abra

Benguet

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Nueva Vizcaya

Rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

Nueva Ecija

Tarlac

Zambales

Bataan

Paolo is expected to gain strength as it moves across the Philippine Sea, potentially intensifying into a severe tropical storm by early Friday, with Wind Signal No. 3 as the highest possible alert.

Producer prices posted growth in August, reversing a contraction in the previous month, driven by a slower decline in prices of computer and electronic products, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Preliminary data released by the PSA yesterday showed that the Producer Price Index (PPI) for manufacturing returned to positive territory, registering a 0.6 percent growth in August after the 0.1 percent drop in July.

It was also an improvement from the 1.3 percent dip posted in August last year.

The PPI measures the average change in factory gate prices relative to a base period.

Average PPI growth from January to August stood at 0.4 percent.

‘The upturn in the annual growth rate of the PPI for the manufacturing section in August 2025 was primarily due to the slower decrement in the annual growth rate of the PPI for manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products industry division,’ the PSA said.

In particular, the computer, electronics and optical products industry division posted a 0.1 percent decline in August from a one percent drop in July.

Also driving the upturn in PPI growth was the faster increase in basic metals at two percent in August from 0.4 percent in the previous month.

The PSA said the slower decline in the growth of transport equipment at 0.2 percent in August from the previous month’s 1.3 percent also contributed to the PPI growth performance.

Of the remaining 19 industry divisions, 11 exhibited annual increases, while eight industry divisions registered annual decreases in August.

Those which posted increases in August are coke and refined petroleum products; food products; beverages; chemical and chemical products; tobacco products; rubber and plastic products; furniture; leather and related products including footwear; wearing apparel; textiles; and printing and reproduction of recorded media.

On the other hand, those which registered declines are other non-metallic mineral products; electrical equipment; machinery and equipment except electrical; fabricated metal products except machinery and equipment; basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations; wood, bamboo, cane, rattan articles and related products; other manufacturing and repair and installation of machinery and equipment; and paper and paper products.

Even the houses of God were not spared by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu late night on September 30, including a century-old church.

Videos and photos of church facades and interiors collapsing or partially damaged surfaced on social media in the aftermath of the earthquake.

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan, Cebu posted a series of photos that showed the damages it has incurred due to the tremors, including photos of a ceiling partially damaged and rubbles off its century-old walls.

The Daanbantayan church said that while there were damages to structures, its tabernacle and some religious images, such as the Image of Santa Rosa de Lima, Virgen del Carmen and the Immaculate Conception, were unscathed.

‘The image is wrapped around some unused plastic Bags for protection from heavy rains and dust,’ the church said about its Image of Santa Rosa de Lima in its Facebook post.

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima was built in 1886. The 139-year-old church is declared the first archdiocesan shrine in the Philippines dedicated to St. Rose of Lima in 2022.

The Parroquia de San Pedro Apostol in Bantayan, meanwhile, was captured in videos with its outer lights exploding and its facade with a cross breaking and falling apart. The church was completed in 1863. It was built with coral stones found on the island.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines has posted a seven-point guidance on how to safely move historic objects, which includes a reminder to check the safety and stability of the premises from the aftershocks and wearing protective gear.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) said the earthquake’s epicenter was located at sea about 21 kilometers (10.5 miles) northeast of Bogo City.

The Cebu government has put the entire province under a state of calamity, with the death toll at 31 as of press time.

A powerful earthquake struck Cebu last night, sending residents rushing out of their homes, damaging heritage churches and prompting the evacuation of a hospital in Cebu City.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the magnitude 6.9 tectonic earthquake struck at 9:59 p.m., with its epicenter located east of Bogo City in Cebu and its depth at 10 kilometers. Phivolcs warned that aftershocks were expected.

Residents reported that the centuries-old Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan town partially collapsed. On Bantayan Island, residents posted videos showing another heritage church, the Parroquia de San Pedro Apostol Bantayan, swaying during the quake and parts of its façade falling apart.

Intensity 6 was recorded in Cebu City and Villaba, Leyte; Intensity 3 in San Fernando, Cebu and Intensity 2 in Laoang, Northern Samar, Phivolcs said.

It advised residents in Biliran, Cebu and Leyte to stay away from coastal areas, and for residents to move farther inland amid threats of a tsunami.

Patients and staff of the Cebu City Medical Center were evacuated outside the building, according to Mayor Nestor Archival.

Home Credit Philippines proudly marked a new milestone ahead of its 12th anniversary: 12 million customers served with accessible financial solutions in August 2025.

Since entering the Philippine market in 2013, Home Credit has become a trusted leader in consumer finance-helping millions of Filipinos access essential goods and services through affordable installment plans, cash loans and digital solutions. This milestone reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to making its credit solutions more accessible, especially for everyday needs.

‘Reaching 12 million customers is more than just a number-it’s a reflection of the trust Filipinos have placed in us,’ said David Minol, CEO of Home Credit Philippines.

‘We’ve seen a significant increase in new customers compared to last year, driven by the growing demand for inclusive financing and the relevance and attractiveness of our oFers.

As of this writing, Home Credit has disbursed close to P500 billion in total sales across its different credit offerings. This reinforces its position as a leading player in the consumer finance industry and highlights the growing demand for inclusive and accessible financial solutions.

Now available in over 18,000 retail stores nationwide and a mobile app available on both Android and iOS, Home Credit oHers a seamless experience-from loan application to account management and payments. Its #ReadytoHelp sales force has grown to 9,000 strong, and its portfolio now includes motorcyles, expanding its reach into mobility financing.

Financing what matters

As it approaches its 12th year, Home Credit is focused on expanding its digital capabilities, launching customer-first products and deepening partnerships across industries. But beyond innovation, its mission remains clear: to finance what matters most to Filipinos-whether it’s a first phone, a new appliance for their home or business or a way to get to move around the metro.

Because for Home Credit, progress isn’t measured in pesos or percentages-it’s measured in the everyday wins of the people it serves.

Before plenary debates took place, the House appropriations committee’s subcommittee approved the realignment of over P255 billion from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control funds.

The task of reviewing amendments fell to the budget amendment review subcommittee (BARSc), which replaced the traditional and severely criticized small committee.

Sector-wise, the subcommittee under the appropriations panel prioritized allocations for health, agriculture, education and government assistance, significantly increasing the budgets of the agencies concerned.

Here’s how 27 government agencies and fund items benefited from the flood control fund realignment.

Health (DOH, PhilHealth)

One of the largest allocations went to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), which received a P60-billion increase – nearly a fourth of the P256.5 billion realigned funds.

In the National Expenditure Program (NEP), the executive branch had proposed P53.26 billion for PhilHealth’s 2026 budget. Congress previously stripped off government subsidies from the state insurer in 2025, citing ‘excess’ or ‘surplus’ reserves PhilHealth failed to utilize.

The funds allocated to PhilHealth, a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC), are largely dedicated to supporting indirect contributors by serving as their premium contributions. Indirect contributors are composed of indigents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and solo parents.

With the additional P60 billion, PhilHealth’s budget would rise to at least P113.26 billion to support the country’s universal health care program and expand benefit packages and case rates available to Filipinos.

The state insurer also funds the zero-balance billing program promoted by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., which allows PhilHealth members to receive free services and admission when confined in basic or ward accommodations of Department of Health (DOH) hospitals.

The DOH also received a P29.28-billion increase – well above its P16.58-billion request – bringing its proposed 2026 budget to around P289.47 billion. The amount also covers additional funding for the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC).

In the NEP, P260.19 billion was earmarked for the DOH, excluding the attached corporations and agencies.

DOH, PCMC get P29.28 billion from flood control funds

Combined allocations to the DOH and PhilHealth make health the sector with the largest share of the rechanneled flood control funds, surpassing a third of the total realignment.

Agriculture (DA, NIA, DAR)

After health, agriculture emerged as the next major priority, with P44.97 billion realigned to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

This represents roughly 17.5% of the realigned funds.

The BARSc proposed a P39.37-billion increase for the DA, much of which would go to farm-to-market roads, rehabilitation of post-harvest facilities and financial subsidy for farmers and fisherfolk.

This allocation is about P9 billion higher than the DA’s request for P30.44 billion in additional funding, bringing the House-proposed budget to P174.31 billion in new appropriations.

Meanwhile, the NIA and the DAR received far less than what they sought, with the committee granting them a P5 billion and P600 million increase, respectively.

Agriculture receives P44.97 billion from flood control funds

While less than its 2025 budget, the augmentation would bump up NIA’s budget for 2026 to P50.07 billion. The DAR’s budget was also increased to nearly P18 billion, around P7 billion more than its 2025 budget.

Education (DepEd, DOST, CHED, TESDA)

With an expected budget exceeding P1.224 trillion, education – spanning basic and higher levels and related programs – received the third-highest share of the flood control fund realignment (14.5%).

The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to receive more than twice the additional funding it requested, with P26.55 billion realigned from flood control funds, largely for classroom construction and rehabilitation, facility improvements and the school-based feeding program.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), meanwhile, was granted P9.31 billion more funds, exactly how much it requested to fund the tertiary education subsidy and Tulong Dunong programs for universities and colleges.

To also settle the three-year funding gap of the Free Higher Education program, the committee agreed to allocate P12.3 billion from CHED’s budget and Congress’ funds during the plenary debates.

However, several state universities and colleges (SUCs) are expected to receive reduced funding if their proposed budgets in the 2026 NEP are retained in the executed budget.

Included in the education sector, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) was given P450 million, significantly lower than its requested amount of P763.8 million.

Instead of scholarship augmentation, the BARSc focused on funding the construction and rehabilitation of the Philippine Science High School in Quezon City. Only P100 million was allocated for S and T scholarships, as opposed to the requested P413.8 million.

Two programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) focused on work training and scholarship are expected to receive P991.2 million in total from the DPWH funds. This, however, is less than a tenth of the requested P14.35 billion.

Education gains P37.3 billion from flood control funds

Social aid programs

Other than the health, agriculture and education sectors, the BARSc also proposed to augment the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) financial assistance programs with P35.91 billion from the DPWH’s budget cut.

The largest share was allocated to the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), with an additional P32.06 billion to support a specific number of beneficiaries. It is slightly below the DSWD’s P37.07-billion request.

AICS provides medical, burial, transportation, education, food and financial assistance to Filipino families during emergencies, ensuring aid reaches those most in need.

The DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program, a capacity-building initiative for marginalized households, received the second-largest boost with P3 billion – still falling short of the agency’s P17-billion request by roughly P14 billion.

Despite the executive branch cutting funds for the controversial Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) Program, the BARSc has not proposed restoring its 2026 budget.

AKAP, which is former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s pet project, is primarily implemented by the DSWD. It has faced criticism for overlapping with the AICS program and being perceived as a potential pork-barrel tool for lawmakers.

Cash dole-out programs get P35.9 billion from flood control funds

After the flood control fund adjustments, the DSWD may have a 2026 budget of roughly P257 billion.

Not yet final

The House continues plenary debates, where lawmakers scrutinize agency budget utilization and key programs, while budget sponsors from the appropriations committee defend allocations or pledge adjustments during the period of amendments.

This amendment period allows for revisions to line items in the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

For example, appropriations chair Rep. Mikaela Suansing (Nueva Ecija, 1st District) promised to realign P12.3 billion to cover the free tuition law deficit as requested by concerned agencies.

Although over P255 billion has been approved for realignment to specific projects and agencies, final allocations may still be adjusted.

The BARSc, a 23-member subcommittee, reviews budgetary revisions from agencies, known as ‘institutional amendments.’ Should lawmakers seek additional funding or cuts to specific programs, Suansing said they would have to coordinate with the agencies for their requests to be considered.

Once the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) passes second reading – after institutional amendments have been reviewed by the BARSc, approved by the appropriations panel, and voted on by the plenary – no further amendments should be made.

Any more changes are expected to occur instead during the bicameral conference committee, where the House and Senate reconcile differences in the versions they approved.