Marcos Jr. withholds P60B-P80B from 2025 budget

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto revealed Monday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. withheld between P60 billion and P80 billion from the proposed 2025 national budget due to misalignment with the administration's priorities.

Recto made this disclosure during a briefing on the proposed P6.793 trillion budget for 2026, which is set to be filed as the General Appropriations Bill in September.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro reported Wednesday that most of the withheld funds were for infrastructure projects inserted by Congress.

Recto assured Representative Edgar Erice during a House budget deliberation that President Marcos will ensure government spending aligns with merit and administration goals.

The Finance Secretary emphasized that during budget execution, the President can withhold funds if they are inconsistent with administration priorities and may not release appropriations for projects deemed unnecessary or duplicative.