Palace ensures transparent use of 2025 budget

Malacañang assured the public that the government would be transparent in using the country’s coffers amid challenges to the constitutionality of the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said that the government has imposed stricter conditionalities for the release of the 2025 budget, which had undergone review by President Marcos.

“There are now stricter conditionalities for budget releases, ensuring alignment with national priorities and protection from partisan interests,” he said on Monday, Feb. 3.

“Having undergone adjustments permitted by law, the funds will be released transparently and in accordance with good governance principles and laws,” he added.

The former Supreme Court Chief Justice said the administration’s actions reinforce accountability and ensure that taxpayer money is allocated effectively.

“All of this stems from the recognition that financing the budget is shouldered by the people; therefore, its implementation must honor the sacrifices they have made,” he said.

Bersamin then reminded the public that Marcos directly vetoed the largest amount of appropriations ever recorded, a move which he said reflects the administration’s commitment to fiscal discipline and responsible governance.

“No president before him had ever so deeply and comprehensively purged the budget of unnecessary items,” he said.

“He later directed, within the powers vested in him, the rechanneling of billions in funds to projects and programs that create social good, spur progress, and serve the welfare of the people,” he added.

Last week, President Marcos said he was convinced that there were no blank items in the 2025 GAA, saying he had reviewed all 4,057 pages of the law and did not find any.

“Because I reviewed it, analyzed it, and yes—in parts, vetoed it. So for those of you, and up to now, I can’t find those damned blank items,” he said

“We’ll keep looking, we’ll keep looking. But I really am convinced that they simply do not exist because it is not allowed to exist,” he added.

Marcos likewise expressed confidence that the government is on a “solid footing” regarding the constitutionality of the 2025 budget.

However, if by chance the Supreme Court ruled in favor of his critics, Marcos said the government would be forced to shut down as there are no contingencies.

“We shut down everything. I guess that’s what they want,” he said.

“They want the government to cease working. So matuloy yung kanilang mga destabilization na ginagawa (They would carry out their destabilization plot),” he added.

Last month, Bersamin said Malacañang had nothing to do with the so-called “blank pages” in the bicameral conference committee report on the 2025 national budget.