President Marcos Reviews 2025 National Budget: Key Changes Ahead

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos is nearing completion of his review of the 2025 national budget. The President is expected to eliminate certain provisions, particularly those he deemed as unexplained “insertions” and cuts from key agencies.

The proposed budget, totaling P6.352 trillion for 2025, is scheduled for signing on December 30.

Presidential Communications Office Update

Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez provided an update on the budget review to reporters.

“Almost done. And the budget message too,” Chavez said, referring to the President’s explanatory narrative accompanying the budget.

The Constitution mandates that education receives the highest budget priority. Despite this, Congress passed a General Appropriations Bill (GAB) on December 11, which included an unexpectedly large increase in public works funding compared to education.

Delays and Constitutional Compliance

Marcos delayed signing the GAB due to constitutional concerns, especially regarding the large allocation for public works over education.

Malacañang has assured the public that the 2025 budget will comply with the Constitution.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized the President’s prudence in managing fiscal resources, stating, “The President and his Cabinet would thoroughly review the GAA to make them conform to the Constitution and prioritize the main legacy thrusts of the administration.”

Senator Imee Marcos Criticism

Marcos’ sister, Senator Imee Marcos, criticized the bill. She highlighted the P1.113 trillion public works budget, which surpassed the P925 billion allocation for education.

Sen. Marcos argued that the public works budget must be reduced by at least P188 billion to meet constitutional requirements.

Actions by the Quad Committee

The House of Representatives’ quad committee is set to file 30 bills addressing extrajudicial killings and the operations of Philippine offshore and gaming operators (POGOs).

Rep. Robert Ace Babers said the bills aim to strengthen laws against foreign nationals who obtain Filipino citizenship and purchase properties illegally.

The committee has already filed several bills, including one that classifies extrajudicial killings as a “heinous crime” and another prohibiting POGOs.

Babers criticized detractors of the quad committee, asserting the importance of their findings on drug smuggling and illegal activities.

Report to the Supreme Court

In an earlier 43-page report, the quad committee recommended filing cases for crimes against humanity against former President Rodrigo Duterte, Senators Bong Go and Ronald dela Rosa, and several others.

These officials were implicated in violations of Republic Act 9851, which addresses crimes against international humanitarian law, genocide, and other crimes against humanity.

Senate Activities and Achievements

Senate President Francis Escudero highlighted the Senate’s productivity, with 72 bills enacted into law during the third regular session.

Escudero emphasized the Senate’s focus on laws benefiting the administration’s development plans, enhancing national sovereignty, and improving Filipino lives.

The Senate enacted 108 bills under his leadership, including 11 LEDAC priority measures, and adopted 106 simple resolutions and nine concurrent resolutions.

Escudero credited his colleagues and staff for their hard work, ensuring these laws addressed critical issues such as crime linked to POGOs and human trafficking.

The Senate’s accomplishments from July 23, 2023, to December 18, 2023, were significant, producing seven times more laws than the combined total of the first and second regular sessions.