Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Finance Committee Chairperson Grace Poe emphasized on Wednesday that Malacañang’s decision to defer the signing of the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) is part of the government’s checks and balances and a reflection of a healthy democracy.
“It’s part of the legislative process and the system of checks and balances in our Constitution,” Escudero stated, noting that such actions fall within the Executive’s authority.
“The Executive is well within its rights and prerogatives to review, study, and make line-item vetoes—as is usually done every year with the General Appropriations Bill—especially given its length, complexity, and detail,” he explained.
Similarly, Poe expressed support for the President’s authority to evaluate and either approve or veto the proposed budget. She remarked, “This is a sign of a healthy democracy. We have to support the checks and balances of our budgetary process.”
Poe further highlighted the importance of the budget in ensuring economic stability, saying, “I believe his economic managers are giving the President the best advice possible given the situation. The GAA is the most important piece of legislation that can determine our economic stability and our GDP growth in 2025.”
Earlier, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. postponed the ceremonial signing of the 2025 GAB, originally set for December 20.
“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 in a statement.
He added that the President is conducting consultations with major department heads and evaluating the measure thoroughly. “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,” Bersamin added.
Concerns have been raised over several provisions in the Congress-proposed 2025 budget, particularly the P26 billion allocation for the controversial Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), reductions in the Department of Education’s budget, and the lack of subsidy for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
Additionally, warnings of potential constitutional violations were raised regarding the bicameral conference committee’s decision to increase the Department of Public Works and Highways’ budget to P1.1 trillion, reportedly surpassing the total funding allocated for the education sector.
