Marcos reviews P6.352T 2025 budget with econ team

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with his economic team on Monday and Friday to review the proposed P6.352 trillion 2025 national budget, which faces controversy due to cuts in the Department of Education (DepEd) and PhilHealth budgets.

The meeting involved Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan.

Marcos emphasized the need to align the spending plan with his administration's priorities and ensure stronger safeguards on project expenditures, noting that he may veto certain items or provisions given the existing approval process.

PhilHealth has assured continued services despite the loss of government subsidy, but Marcos said he is thoroughly assessing the budget to further clarify unclear provisions.

The President is set to sign the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025 on December 30, 2024, after a review of the controversial budget bill.