Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri warns of potential legal challenges to the 2025 national budget due to concerns over funding for education, PhilHealth, and the constitutionality of budget allocations.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri urged on Wednesday the need to address potentially unconstitutional provisions in the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) before President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. signs it on December 30. Zubiri expressed concern over the education sector's funding, particularly for computerization, and the possible unconstitutionality of shifting education from a budgetary priority. He also highlighted the zero funding for PhilHealth.
'That would help stave off possible legal action in the Supreme Court that might render a decision declaring the budget unconstitutional and therefore delay its implementation and effectivity,' he added. Zubiri stated he wouldn't attend the budget signing due to being abroad. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada also declined, citing prior commitments. On Tuesday, the Presidential Communications Office announced Marcos would sign the P6.352-trillion proposed national budget despite calls from some senators to recall the ratified GAB for amendments. Zubiri and Senator Imee Marcos, the president's sister, initially raised concerns about budget cuts in education, zero subsidy for PhilHealth, and higher allocations for the Department of Public Works and Highways compared to education. Article XIV, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution mandates the 'highest budgetary priority' for education. Marcos was initially set to sign the budget on December 20, but Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said it was postponed to allow for a thorough review. Bersamin stated that Marcos consulted with department heads regarding the budget
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