President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the P6.326-trillion 2025 national budget into law on Monday, December 30, but used his veto power to reject over PHP194 billion in line items he considered “inconsistent” with his administration’s key priorities.
In his speech following the signing, Marcos said that the General Appropriations Act (GAA) aims to support sustainable economic growth and improve the lives of future generations.
However, he emphasized the need for caution in implementing the national budget to prevent escalating deficits and national debt.
“Every centavo must go toward strengthening communities, uplifting lives, and securing the country’s future development,” Marcos said, stressing the importance of scrutinizing the budget to ensure that public funds support programs for the benefit the Filipino people.
Marcos said that his administration takes its responsibility as stewards of taxpayer money seriously, ensuring the funds align with national development goals.
P194M vetoed
As a result, he vetoed over P194 billion in budget line items, including projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and substantial increases in unprogrammed appropriations.
Marcos rejected line items he deemed “inconsistent” with the administration’s priorities, lowering the final 2025 budget from the initially proposed P6.352 trillion.
He also called for key agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to collaborate and adopt a more strategic approach to programs like the Ayuda sa Kapos ng Kita Program (AKAP).
Meanwhile, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, speaking at a press briefing after the signing, said that the involved agencies must establish implementation guidelines before they release the budget for AKAP.
Controversies
Various groups called for ‘corrective measures’ in the version Congress submitted, which delayed the budget signing from December 20 to December 30.
In contrast to previous years, when the budget bill was signed ahead of schedule, watchdogs raised concerns over possible last-minute realignments made during the bicameral conference committee (bicam) sessions.
These sessions often involve closed-door negotiations between the House and Senate to reconcile their versions of the budget.
Among the controversial changes to the budget, lawmakers removed over PHP10 billion for the Department of Education’s computerization program, increased unprogrammed appropriations by PHP373 billion, and omitted funding for subsidies for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.