Marcos to review ‘insertions’ in 2025 budget, sign bill before year-end
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the review of the budget bill is taking longer as the Executive reconciles its original proposal to that approved by Congress.
He said the general appropriations bill is under meticulous review in line with the thrust of the administration.
“We’re going through item by item, line by line to see what is priority and what is not. That’s what we will come up with,” Marcos said in an interview with reporters during the Philippine Air Force (PAF) change of command and retirement ceremony in Pasay City.
The president said the budget bill should align with the government’s priorities.
“I want to be very, very sure that the budget for 2025 is directed at the important projects that we have prioritized, number one. And secondly, that there is a stronger safeguard on the spending for the different programs kaya baka maga-assess na naman tayo ng mga project project na pinasok, sa insertion,” said Marcos.
[Translation: I want to be very, very sure that the budget for 2025 is directed at the important projects that we have prioritized, number one. And secondly, that there is a stronger safeguard on the spending for the different programs, so we might assess once more the projects that were included as insertions.]
He said the new items may require further clarification.
“So, ano ngayon ‘yung mangyayari? Talaga bang kailangan? Baka ‘yung iba hindi naman kailangan. Kailangan pang - puwedeng i-defer. Iyong iba walang masyadong - we are starting to see some project proposals that do not have the appropriate program of work, walang appropriate na documentation, hindi maliwanag kung saan pupunta ang pera. Kaya’t ‘yun ang liliwanagin natin,” he added.
[Translation: So, what will happen now? Are they really necessary? Maybe some are not needed. They could be deferred. Some lack proper - we are starting to see some project proposals that do not have the appropriate program of work, no proper documentation, unclear allocation of funds. That’s what we will clarify.]
Marcos said he is now inclined to use his veto power on certain items despite his previous hesitation to do so. He added that he would not reconvene Congress, as suggested by some lawmakers, to address the issue..
“Wala sa procedure ‘yan. There is no procedure to return it to the bicam. It’s finished already in the House, it’s finished already in the - it’s finished in Congress. Tapos na. So, it’s up to us now to look at the items and to see what are appropriate, what are relevant, and what are the priorities,” said Marcos.
[Translation: That’s not in the procedure. There is no procedure to return it to the bicam. It’s finished already in the House, it’s finished already in Congress. It’s done. So, it’s up to us now to look at the items and to see what are appropriate, what are relevant, and what are the priorities.]
The president expressed hope that he could sign the budget measure before the end of the year.
Failure to pass the proposed national budget will lead to a reenacted budget. This means new programs and projects proposed for 2025 will be unfunded since the previous outlay will be reused next year.
A reenacted budget last occurred in 2019 during the administration of then-President Rodrigo Duterte, when the House of Representatives indefinitely suspended all budget hearings after lawmakers rejected the Executive’s shift to a cash-based budgeting system.
