Some senators to miss 2025 budget signing

Metro Manila, Philippines – Some senators are skipping the ceremonial signing of the highly contentious 2025 national budget on Monday, Dec. 30, due to prior commitments.

“I’m out of the country then. So I'm not attending the signing,” Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said in a text message shared with reporters on Wednesday, Dec. 25.

He expressed hope that Malacañang would address potential constitutional and legal issues, including the education sector receiving less funding than the Department of Public Works and Highways and the zero government subsidy for state health insurer PhilHealth.

“That would help stave off possible legal action in the Supreme Court which might render a decision declaring the budget unconstitutional and therefore delay its implementation and effectivity,” Zubiri said.

The Constitution mandates that the education sector be given the highest budgetary priority, while several laws require a portion of tax revenues to be allocated to PhilHealth.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian confirmed receiving invitations from the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office for the budget signing but said they would not be able to attend.

“Previous commitments,” Estrada said in a separate text message.

“I received the invitation. Unfortunately, I cannot attend,” Gatchalian said.

No less than presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos called for the return of the proposed General Appropriations Act to Congress for lawmakers to address procedural, legal, and constitutional issues. However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he would instead veto or remove some line items and sign the budget by year-end.