MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong’” Marcos Jr. is rescheduling the signing of the 2025 P6.352-trillion national budget.
According to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the President will no longer be able to sign the budget by December 20 because he wants more time “for a rigorous and exhaustive review of a measure.”
“The scheduled signing of the General Appropriations Act…will not push through to allow more time for a rigorous and exhaustive review of a measure that will determine the course of the nation for the next year,” Bersamin said in a statement.
Bersamin added that the Chief Executive is currently consulting with the heads of major departments in an “ongoing assessment” of the national budget.
“While we cannot yet announce the date of the signing, we can now confirm that certain items and provisions of the national budget bill will be vetoed in the interest of public welfare, to conform with the fiscal program, and in compliance with laws,” said Bersamin.
Several lawmakers raised concerns about the budget reduction in the Department of Education (DepEd) and removal of the subsidy for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
President Marcos earlier promised to find ways to restore the P10-billion cut in the DepEd budget, which was intended for the agency’s computerization program.
The Chief Executive, however, justified the Congress’ decision on PhilHealth’s zero subsidy due to their reserve funds./PN
