Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin dismissed allegations linking Malacañang to the so-called “blank pages” in the 2025 national budget, categorically denying claims that the Executive Branch played any role in the matter.
“Let’s remove from your consciousness that we have anything to do with the blank pages they are referring to,” he told reporters Friday.
Bersamin branded the issue “fake news” that was concocted to tarnish the administration’s reputation.
The controversy arose after former President Rodrigo Duterte and his allies claimed the 2025 GAA contained blank items without specified projects or funding.
This immediately prompted President Marcos to say that his predecessor was “lying,” stating that it would be impossible for the budget to be passed with blank items.
“That’s why we say that’s fake news because it is being attributed to the President… Even if that is not what they said, that is the impression they want to give to the public, which is very wrong, very malicious,” he stressed.
Bersamin further clarified that the Executive Branch “did not benefit at all from the blank spaces that are being circulated” and reiterated that any inquiries regarding the matter should be directed to Congress.
“I want the public to know that we really have nothing to do with that. Ask the congressmen, the senators. And that is all that we can say at this point,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has defended recent modifications to the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), emphasizing that the changes align with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure government resources are utilized efficiently and effectively.
The adjustments, including budget realignments affecting the Philippine National Police (PNP), aim to prioritize ready-to-implement programs while addressing funding deficiencies.
In a statement, the DBM explained that the moves were in line with President Marcos’s instructions for National Government Agencies (NGAs) to review, rationalize, and prioritize programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) ready for implementation.
Programs identified as non-essential or underperforming are being reviewed for potential reprogramming or reallocation to ensure optimal use of government funds.
“Pursuant to the President’s directive, the DBM is committed to addressing funding deficiencies for various departments for FY 2025, including the PNP, through appropriate measures such as allotment modifications, use of savings, or tapping the Contingent Fund or Unprogrammed Appropriations,” the DBM stated.
“These actions comply with the conditions and requirements prescribed under the applicable provisions of the GAA,” it added.
The DBM cited Sections 76 to 81 of the 2025 GAA as the legal basis for such adjustments. Specifically, Section 77 defines the conditions under which agency allotments may be declared as savings, while Section 78 provides rules on augmenting deficient items.