President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed the 2025 national budget into law, vetoing over P194 billion in line items. Lawmakers had raised concerns about various budget provisions, including funding for a controversial program, cuts to the Department of Education, and the elimination of subsidies for PhilHealth.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2025 into law after reviewing it with the country's economic managers. The signing ceremony was held at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañang Palace and attended by lawmakers and government officials. Marcos said he vetoed over P194 billion worth of line items that are not aligned with his administration's program priorities.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin earlier stated that certain items and provisions of the national budget bill would be vetoed in the interest of public welfare, to conform with the fiscal program, and in compliance with laws. Several lawmakers expressed concerns about some provisions of the 2025 General Appropriation Bill, particularly the P26 billion funding for the controversial Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), the reduction in the Department of Education (DepEd)'s budget, and the zero subsidy for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). The budget cuts in DepEd were made despite a constitutional provision that mandates the highest budgetary priority to the education sector. Regarding PhilHealth's budget, Senate finance committee chairperson Grace Poe disclosed that it would receive no subsidy under the proposed 2025 budget, citing the state insurer's P600 billion reserve funds. Earlier, Marcos assured that PhilHealth has sufficient funds to continue providing health services despite the removal of its government subsidy
PHILIPPINES BUDGET VETO EDUCATION HEALTH
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