MANILA – Former President Rodrigo Duterte has raised concerns regarding the alleged inconsistencies in the 2025 national budget, stating that the proposed spending plan is “invalid and unenforceable.”
The former Chief Executive noted that several budget provisions were left unfilled in the bicameral conference committee report, which he likened to issuing a blank check to the government.
The unfilled amounts within the 2025 budget, which were initially identified by Davao City’s 3rd District representative Isidro Ungab, were reportedly located within the budget for the Department of Agriculture and in unprogrammed appropriations.
“It’s not only inaccurate, but I think the budget is in totality invalid. Hindi puwede mag-blanko-blangko diyan sa pera ng tao,” Duterte said over Basta Dabawenyo video aired on Saturday night. “That cannot be valid – (it’s) invalid, unenforceable.”
Former President Duterte further emphasized that it is unlawful to leave budget items open for later completion.
“You do not leave any item there vacant, itong pera na ito blangko to be filled up later on. That’s not allowed by law. And that budget is already, I would like to remind Congress, mali ho ‘yan. It’s invalid,” Duterte said.
In light of the alleged discrepancies, Duterte called for the 2025 budget to be recalled and amended. He also demanded that those responsible for the bicameral report provide an explanation to the public.
“Please correct it or recall the budget and demand an explanation bakit dumating sa inyo ‘yan na ganun kablangko,” Duterte said. “Para kang binigyan ng blangkong tseke diyan, o sige bahala na kayo ilagay ninyo.”
He also said those responsible for the flawed budget document should be held accountable, indicating that graft charges could be pursued in court
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed into law the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2025 on December 30, 2024 and he directly vetoed over P194 billion worth of line items that are not consistent with his administration’s priorities.
In his veto message, Marcos said “the aim of this Administration in our Medium-Term Fiscal Program is to ensure that government targets will respond more directly to the needs of the Filipino people as strategic growth-enhancing fiscal consolidation is pursued.”/PN
