“Sa Sambayanang Pilipino, nakikinig po kami sa inyo. Salamat po sa inyong pagkilatis sa ating National Budget at sa pagpuna sa kaibahan ng isinumite ng Kongreso sa President’s proposed budget. Kaya naman po kahit Pasko, kaming lahat ay nagtrabaho upang pag-aralan ito,” said the President, expressing his commitment to the Filipino people.

 

“We take our role as stewards of our taxpayers’ money seriously. For this reason, after an exhaustive and thorough review, we have directly vetoed over one-hundred and ninety-four (194) billion worth of line items that are not consistent with our programmed priorities. These include allocations for certain programs and projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and those under the Unprogrammed Appropriations, which increased by three hundred (300) percent” the President said.

 

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah 'Mina' F. Pangandaman commends President Marcos for his discerning use of veto powers, a constitutional prerogative that helps refine the budget to better align with the national development goals.

 

“We would like to thank our President, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., for personally being on top of reviewing the Bicameral Committee’s version of the Budget. While the Congress’ version was quite different from the proposed budget that we submitted, we are grateful and relieved that the President has made sure that we do not end up with a reenacted budget. As you know, the ‘power of the purse’ is with Congress because Congress is supposed to be the voice of the people. Hence, the Department of Budget and Management and even the President himself can only submit a proposed budget to Congress and in the end, because we have a democratic process that we must follow and respect, we can only exercise what the Constitution provides, which is to veto certain items of the budget,” Secretary Mina said.

 

“After a careful review by certain agencies concerned and with the guidance of our Executive Secretary, who is a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the President ensured that the budget remained true to our Constitutional mandates while exercising his veto power to ensure that the budget ultimately continues to be directed to meeting our Agenda for Prosperity,” Secretary Mina added.

 

The GAA for 2025 faced challenges during its passage, primarily due to significant changes by the Bicameral Committee, including a notable increase in Unprogrammed Appropriations (UA). In response, President Marcos judiciously exercised his veto powers to significantly reduce these appropriations. Among the items vetoed were P168 billion from the Unprogrammed Appropriations in the General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

 

“Nakikinig po ang ating Pangulo sa taumbayan. That is why, among others, unprogrammed appropriations, which increased by over 300% in the Bicam version of the budget, have been greatly reduced by direct veto. There will also be a conditional implementation of Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP),” Sec Mina furthered.

 

To ensure strict compliance with legal standards, 12 Special Provisions were placed under Conditional Implementation. These provisions include critical programs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, such as the "Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP)" and the "PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program."

 

-The "Basic Infrastructure Program;"

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the President conveyed his standpoint on the implementation of certain provisions,. These include the following:

 

 

In response to environmental challenges, the budget also prioritizes green investments and disaster preparedness to protect the environment and enhance the nation’s resilience against natural disasters.

 

“Sa aking mga kasamahan sa pamahalaan, nais kong ipaalala ang ating tungkulin sa bayan. Gamitin natin ng wasto ang pondo ng bayan. Siguruhin natin na agarang masimulan ang mga proyektong napopondohan at matapos ito nang naaayon sa programa at pondong inilaan dito,” ended the President.

 

As the new fiscal year approaches, the DBM reaffirms its commitment to overseeing the efficient execution of the budget, guaranteeing that all funds are used in accordance with the government's strategic plans and for the benefit of all Filipinos.

 

ika-30 ng Disyembre 2024

 

 

Nilagdaan na ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ngayong araw sa Malacañan Palace ang General Appropriations Act para sa taong 2025 na tuluyang iiwas sa paggamit ng reenacted budget na maaring magpaantala sa pagpapatupad ng mahahalagang proyekto at programa ng gobyerno.

 

“There were calls to veto the entire budget and revert to a reenacted one. However, this is not an option we can afford. A reenacted budget would set us back, delay our vital programs, and jeopardize our targets for economic growth, including our goals of achieving single-digit poverty levels, and upper-middle-income status,” ayon kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos.

 

 

“We take our role as stewards of our taxpayers’ money seriously. For this reason, after an exhaustive and thorough review, we have directly vetoed over one-hundred and ninety-four (194) billion worth of line items that are not consistent with our programmed priorities. These include allocations for certain programs and projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and those under the Unprogrammed Appropriations, which increased by three hundred (300) percent” saad ng Pangulo.

 

Pinuri naman ni Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah 'Mina' F. Pangandaman si Pangulong Marcos Jr. sa pasya nitong paggamit ng veto powers, isang constitutional prerogative na makatutulong na repasuhin ang budget upang mas ihanay ito sa pagkamit ng national development goals.

 

“We would like to thank our President, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., for personally being on top of reviewing the Bicameral Committee’s version of the Budget. While the Congress’ version was quite different from the proposed budget that we submitted, we are grateful and relieved that the President has made sure that we do not end up with a reenacted budget. As you know, the “power of the purse” is with Congress because Congress is supposed to be the voice of the people. Hence, the Department of Budget and Management and even the President himself can only submit a proposed budget to Congress and in the end, because we have a democratic process that we must follow and respect, we can only exercise what the Constitution provides, which is to veto certain items in the budget,” pahayag ni Secretary Mina.

 

“After a careful review by certain agencies concerned and with the guidance of our Executive Secretary, who is a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the President ensured that the budget remained true to our Constitutional mandates while exercising his veto power to ensure that the budget ultimately continues to be directed to meeting our Agenda for Prosperity,” dagdag pa ng Kalihim.

 

Naharap sa ilang mga hamon ang GAA para sa taong 2025 sa kalagitnaan ng pagpasa nito dahil sa ilang pagbabago sa Bicameral Committee, kabilang na ang kapansin-pansing pagtaas sa Unprogrammed Appropriations (UA). Bilang tugon, masusing ginampanan ng Pangulo ang paggamit ng kaniyang veto powers upang bawasan ang mga nasabing paglaan. Kabilang sa mga na-veto na mga item ang P168 billion mula sa Unprogrammed Appropriations sa General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

 

“Nakikinig po ang ating Pangulo sa taumbayan. That is why, among others, unprogrammed appropriations, which increased by over 300% in the Bicam version of the budget, have been greatly reduced by direct veto. There will also be a conditional implementation of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP),” pagpapaliwanag ni Sec. Mina.

 

 

Ilan pa sa mga Special Provision sa ilalim ng conditional implementation ang:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Sa aking mga kasamahan sa pamahalaan, nais kong ipaalala ang ating tungkulin sa bayan. Gamitin natin ng wasto ang pondo ng bayan. Siguruhin natin na agarang masimulan ang mga proyektong napopondohan at matapos ito nang naaayon sa programa at pondong inilaan dito,” pagtatapos ng Pangulo.

 

Sa pagbubukas ng panibagong taon, sinisiguro ng DBM ang pagtupad sa tungkulin nito na pangasiwaan ang mahusay na paggamit ng pondo ng bayan at tiyaking ang lahat ng pondo ay magagamit alinsunod sa strategic plans ng gobyerno at para sa kapanan ng lahat ng Pilipino.