Malacañang defended the 2025 national budget on Monday after Catholic Church leaders urged Filipinos to reject what they described as an “ayuda-driven” spending plan that fosters corruption and patronage politics.
“The President directly vetoed the largest amount of appropriations in history. No president before him had ever so deeply and comprehensively purged the budget of unnecessary items,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a statement.
The executive secretary explained that President Marcos redirected billions of pesos toward projects that promote social good and economic progress, with stricter conditions to ensure funds align with national priorities and remain free from partisan interests.
“The funds will be released transparently and by good governance principles and laws,” he said.
The Palace also emphasized that the budget is ultimately financed by taxpayers and must reflect their sacrifices.
Earlier, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) criticized the misuse of public funds and resources, pointing to questionable budget insertions and allocations.
Caritas Philippines Executive Director Fr. Tito Caluag echoed the call, saying the national budget should prioritize programs that empower people rather than rely on financial aid.
The 2025 national budget, amounting to P5.97 trillion, is the largest in Philippine history.
While the administration says it will drive economic growth and improve public services, critics warn it could be used as a tool for political patronage ahead of the elections.
The budget debate comes as the Marcos administration continues to defend its economic policies amid rising inflation and calls for greater transparency in government spending.