Marcos reviewing P6.352-trillion 2025 budget

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his Cabinet are thoroughly reviewing the Congress-approved P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025 to ensure it aligns with constitutional requirements.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated that the review is ongoing, aiming to prioritize the administration's legacy programs while being prudent with fiscal resources amid the country's limited fiscal space.

The Department of Education (DepEd) faced a significant P12 billion cut in its budget, reducing it from P748.6 billion to P737 billion, which lawmakers consider unconstitutional.

Budget cuts also affected other departments such as Social Welfare and Development with P95 billion less and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), which lost government subsidy despite assurances of continued services.

Conversely, the Department of Public Works and Highways saw a significant increase from P825 billion to P1.1 trillion.

Senators have raised concerns about these budget adjustments, particularly the cut for DepEd's computerization program and the defunding of PhilHealth, leading to discussions on potentially reenacting the 2024 national fund instead of passing the 2025 General Appropriations Bill.

President Marcos is scheduled to sign the 2025 national budget into law on December 30 after an exhaustive review.