Malacañang has chosen not to comment on Senator Imee Marcos’ sharp criticisms of the proposed 2025 national budget, which is currently under review by the administration due to alleged “insertions” and inconsistencies with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s policy agenda.
The P6.352-trillion spending plan, recently approved by Congress, has faced backlash over significant allocations for public works and reduced funding for education, a constitutional priority. Senator Marcos has called for a P188-billion cut to the public works budget, warning of potential constitutional violations if the current allocations are enacted.
Despite the ongoing review, the ceremonial signing of the budget into law is scheduled for December 30. Senator Marcos likened the timing to “a thief in the night” and suggested reenacting the 2024 budget if controversial provisions remain unaddressed. However, President Marcos has ruled out returning the bill to Congress, asserting there is no legal process for such action.
The President has pledged to restore a P12-billion reduction in the Department of Education’s budget and address concerns raised about the allocation for public works projects. Former Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed optimism that issues in the budget, including funding for DepEd’s computerization program, will be resolved before the signing.
The 2025 budget includes contentious provisions such as the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program, allocating P21 billion to the House of Representatives and P5 billion to the Senate. The Department of Public Works and Highways received a notable increase of P288.648 billion, raising its total allocation to over P1.1 trillion.
As tensions between President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte persist, the Office of the Vice President’s budget was reduced from P2 billion to P733 million, a decision retained in the bicameral conference committee’s final report approved by Congress earlier this month.
