Malacañang assured the public that the spending plan for the proposed 2025 national budget is undergoing rigorous scrutiny to ensure compliance with the Constitution and alignment with the administration’s priorities.
This comes amid calls to remove allegedly unconstitutional items from the budget proposal.
On Thursday, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his Cabinet officials are conducting a meticulous review of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) before its signing.
He noted that this process is independent of external appeals or criticisms.
“The President and the Cabinet are right now, with or without the calls, thoroughly reviewing the various items of the GAA to make them conform to the Constitution and to see to it that the budget prioritizes the main legacy thrusts of the administration,” Bersamin stated.
He highlighted the President’s prudence in managing the country’s limited fiscal resources, stressing the importance of responsible programming and spending.
This statement follows concerns raised by some lawmakers and advocacy groups about specific provisions in the proposed 2025 budget, which they allege may be unconstitutional or misaligned with the nation’s needs.
Critics have called for their removal to avoid potential legal challenges and to ensure transparency.
Bersamin reiterated the administration’s commitment to its legacy programs, which include infrastructure development, food security, education, and public health.
He assured the public that these priorities would guide the allocation of funds in the final budget.
Earlier this week, Malacañang announced that President Marcos will sign the 2025 national budget bill on December 30, following his decision to defer the initial budget signing originally scheduled for December 20.
