President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has held back the release of P60 to P80 billion in funds under the P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto confirmed on Monday.
Recto said the President’s decision was rooted in ensuring that government spending remains aligned with the administration’s Philippine Development Plan. “At any given time, during budget execution, the President can withhold releases of the budget if it is not consistent with the priorities of his administration. And as of today, based on my understanding, roughly P60 to P80 billion has still been withheld,” Recto explained during a budget briefing.
The disclosure came after Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice questioned how the economic team was addressing the P375 billion that Congress had shifted from the proposed 2025 budget to the so-called “unprogrammed fund.” These funds are only released if government revenue collections exceed expectations or when supported by special laws.
Recto also clarified that aside from the withheld funds, Marcos had already vetoed P26 billion worth of items in the 2025 budget earlier this year, striking out projects deemed inconsistent with the administration’s goals.
“If the President sees, for example, that there are double entries in a particular project, he’s not bound to release this appropriation,” Recto stressed, assuring lawmakers that budget execution will be based on merit, not political pressure.
While Erice noted that the vetoed amount is much smaller compared to Congress’ P375 billion realignment, Recto maintained that the question of congressional adjustments is an issue best addressed by the legislature itself.
The discussion took place on the first day of deliberations for the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, which will be submitted as the General Appropriations Bill on September 1.
