Escudero denies blank items in budget report

Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero refuted claims by former President Rodrigo Duterte's camp and Rep. Isidro Ungab that the 2025 national budget bicameral conference committee report had blank items.

Escudero stated during a press conference on Wednesday that he did not see his signature on the document presented and denied there were any blank items in the version he signed.

The Senate President emphasized that it is incorrect to accuse Congress of giving a 'blank check' for the budget, calling such claims false.

Escudero noted that the bicam report includes provisions allowing corrections and fill-ins by the appropriations committee due to the large number of line items.

He also explained that if there are differences between the bicameral conference committee report and the General Appropriations Act (GAA), then it is the latter that will be used and followed.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. dismissed Duterte's allegations as lies, with Malacañang also denouncing the claims.