‘Many’ blank items in bicam’s budget report, Bato insists

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he personally saw several blank items in the bicameral conference committee’s report on the 2025 national budget.

The bicam report, which reconciles the Senate and House versions of the spending plan, became controversial following allegations from former President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies regarding the blank items.

“Kumpirmado ‘yan, maraming blank doon, particularly doon sa budget ng agriculture (That's confirmed, there are many blanks there, particularly in the agriculture budget),” Dela Rosa, a Duterte ally, said in a radio interview with DWIZ.

“‘Yun ang natanggap ng aking opisina, ng aking legis. So ‘yun ang binasa ko. So ‘yun ang nakita ko – as a bicam report (That's what my office and my legislative staff received. So that's what I read. That's what I saw – as a bicam report),” Dela Rosa added.

Dela Rosa was a member of the bicam’s Senate contingent and was present during the approval of its report in December, but he did not sign it. He said he had not read the report by then.

Dela Rosa said his office received a copy of the bicam report "before or during" the ratification by both houses, which took place on the same day as the bicam’s final meeting and approval of the report.

Presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos also said that the presence of blank items in the bicam report was the reason she did not sign it.

Several lawmakers, including Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, denied the allegation. He rejected claims that the chamber approved a General Appropriations Bill with blank items, stating that the version he signed did not contain any. He also said he was unaware of the document posted by Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, which allegedly contains irregularities in the bicam report.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. also stated that the General Appropriations Act he signed did not contain any blank entries, with the Palace condemning as "fake" and "malicious" the claims that he received a blank check.