MANILA. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed into law the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2025 on Monday, approving a P6.326 trillion spending plan but vetoing over P194 billion worth of line items deemed inconsistent with his administration’s priorities.
The signing ceremony took place at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañang Palace, attended by lawmakers and key government officials.
In his speech, Marcos emphasized the need to align government spending with the administration’s program priorities. Among the vetoed items are unprogrammed allocations of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“These items are not consistent with the priority programs of this administration and therefore must be excluded,” said Marcos.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin had earlier explained that the President’s vetoes aim to protect public welfare, conform to the government’s fiscal program, and ensure compliance with laws.
The 2025 General Appropriations Bill faced scrutiny from lawmakers during its deliberation, particularly over certain contentious provisions. Concerns were raised about the P26 billion allocation for the “Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program” (AKAP), budget reductions for the Department of Education (DepEd), and the lack of government subsidy for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Several legislators pointed out that the budget cuts in the DepEd appear to contradict the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which mandates that education be given the highest budgetary priority.
Regarding PhilHealth, Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Grace Poe previously revealed that the state insurer would receive zero subsidy under the proposed budget, citing its P600 billion in reserve funds.
In response, President Marcos assured the public that PhilHealth has sufficient resources to sustain its health services despite the removal of its government subsidy.
Malacañang has repeatedly emphasized that the President thoroughly reviewed the 2025 General Appropriations Bill to ensure compliance with the Philippine Constitution.
“The national budget is the most important tool in driving our country’s growth. It is vital that we allocate resources where they are most needed, ensuring efficiency, accountability, and alignment with our national goals,” Marcos said.
The 2025 budget is expected to prioritize key areas such as infrastructure development, education, and health, despite the challenges and concerns raised during its crafting and finalization.
This is the second consecutive year that Marcos has vetoed substantial budget provisions, underscoring his administration’s commitment to streamlining government spending.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
