MANILA – The target date for the signing of the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) has been pushed back to give President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. more time for a “rigorous and exhaustive” review of the measure, Malacañang said Wednesday.
In a statement, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said there is no final date yet for the signing of the GAB which appropriates PHP6.352 trillion national expenditure for fiscal year 2025.
“The scheduled signing of the General Appropriations Act on December 20 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.
“The ongoing assessment is being led by the President himself, in consultation with the heads of major departments,” he added.
Bersamin confirmed that certain items and provisions of the proposed national budget for next year will be vetoed “in the interest of public welfare, to conform with the fiscal program, and in compliance with laws.”
In an interview with Palace reporters Monday, Marcos said the Office of the President is still reviewing the detailed version of the 2025 GAB, especially the provisions that have been described as “worrisome elements” of the spending plan.
Marcos said he would also find a way to restore the PHP10 billion that was cut from the Department of Education (DepEd) for 2025 as slashing the allocation for education is “contrary” to the administration’s policy.
Marcos, meanwhile, justified the zero subsidy for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. for next year, saying the state insurer has no budgetary issues owing to its estimated reserve of PHP500 billion.
Last week, the bicameral conference committee approved the PHP6.352 trillion 2025 budget bill. (PNA)