President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday rejected proposals to recovene the bicameral conference committee to iron out outstanding issues in the ratified budget bill for 2025.
Mr. Marcos likewise assured the public there will be no reenacted budget as he vowed to complete the review and sign the measure into law before December 31.
“No, that is not in the procedure,” he said in a chance interview yesterday.
“There is no procedure to return it to the bicam. It’s finished already in the House, it’s finished already in the (Senate) —it’s finished in Congress. They are done,” he added.
He said it is now up to the executive to complete the review of the ratified budget bill, which will result in a presidential veto of line items to ensure that resources are directed toward essential projects and programs.
“I think we’ll be able to do it before the year ends,” President added.
While the budget was initially slated for signing today (December 20), the President explained that additional time is needed to vet certain provisions, particularly items added during bicameral deliberations.
He noted that some projects included in the budget lack proper documentation or clear objectives, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Congress leaders earlier said they respect the decision of the President to veto line items in the 2025 national budget.
“It’s part of the legislative process and the system of checks and balances in our Constitution,” Senate President Francis Escudero said.
“The Executive is well within its rights and prerogatives to review, study and make line item vetoes—as is usually done every year with the General Appropriations Bill—especially given its length, complexity and detail,” he added.
Senator Grace Poe, for her part, said the President’s decision to review the bill ratified by the bicameral conference committee is “a sign of a healthy democracy.”
The chair of the House committee on appropriations, Rep. Elizaldy Co, also commended the President “for his commitment to ensure that the national budget aligns with the country’s priorities.”
“This approach exemplifies the strength of our democratic processes and the effective system of checks and balances in our government,” Co said.
“We stand prepared to work alongside the President to refine the budget, ensuring it serves the best interests of all Filipinos,” he added.
