Ungab, Duterte question blank spaces in Bicam report

Discrepancies in financial figures spark concerns over the budget’s validity and accountability in Congress.

Screengrabbed from Basta Dabawenyo Podcast, Graphics edited by Ralph Llemit/SunStar

Published on:

Jan 19, 2025, 5:35 pm

THIRD District Representative Isidro C. Ungab revealed discrepancies in the Bicameral Conference Committee report, claiming there were blanks in the document. During the Basta Dabawenyo Podcast on January 18, 2025, Ungab stated that sections related to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and unprogrammed appropriations had several missing figures, including amounts reaching billions of pesos.

@sunstardavao 'MARAMING BLANKO' #DavaoCity 3rd District Representative #IsidroUngab revealed that there are numerous blank sections in the documents of the 2025 General Appropriations Act ( #GAA ) signed by the bicameral committee of #Congress and the #Senate . Ungab disclosed this during a special episode of Basta #Dabawenyo , an online program by the Davao City #government , streamed on January 18, 2025. He explained that these blanks are problematic as they involve billions of pesos from the national treasury. 🎥CM #BasteDuterte /YouTube #AllYouNeedToKnow ♬ original sound - Sun Star Davao

He noted that this was the first time in his 15 years in Congress, including his tenure as Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, that he encountered a Bicameral report with blanks.

Ungab expressed concern over the report’s completeness, pointing out discrepancies with the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2025 and questioning why it was signed by House and Senate members.

The bicameral report was ratified on December 11, 2024, and approved by both chambers of Congress. However, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte criticized the incomplete report, stressing that leaving blanks in a financial document is unacceptable. Duterte argued that the report, especially with blank spaces, should not be considered valid legislation.

“It’s not only inaccurate but I think the budget is in totality invalid hindi na pwede mag blanko-blanko diyan sa pera ng tao (It’s not only inaccurate but I think the budget is invalid. You can’t leave blanks when it comes to the people’s money),” he said. addinghat Congress and the Senate must specify the exact amounts to be appropriated and that blanks, intended to be filled later, are legally prohibited.

Ungab explained that the House and Senate technical staff cannot fill in the blanks as per the omnibus motion; they are only authorized to correct typographical errors or adjust performance indicators.

@sunstardavao 'NOT A VALID LEGISLATION' Former President #RodrigoDuterte and Davao City Third District Representative #IsidroUngab have expressed serious concerns over alleged discrepancies in the Bicameral Conference Committee ( #Bicam ) report, particularly the absence of allocations for key agricultural agencies. Ungab presented documents revealing what he described as “blanks” in the budget, including billions of pesos unaccounted for in allocations for the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). Duterte supported Ungab’s claims, labeling the budget “invalid” due to its incomplete and questionable details. 🎥CM Baste Duterte/YouTube #AllYouNeedToKnow ♬ original sound - Sun Star Davao

@sunstardavao 'YOU WILL ALL GO TO JAIL' Former President #RodrigoDuterte shared his opinion regarding the alleged blanks in the signed 2025 General Appropriations Act ( #GAA ). According to him, there should be no blanks in the budget signed by its approvers, and no amounts can be added after the document has been finalized and signed. He emphasized that anyone who does so could face charges since it is a public document. Earlier, #DavaoCity 3rd District Representative #IsidroUngab revealed that the GAA 2025 contains numerous blank amounts, which he described as highly questionable because they involve billions of pesos in government funds. The discussion on the GAA 2025 took place during the Basta #Dabawenyo podcast on January 18, 2025. 🎥CM Baste Duterte/YouTube #AllYouNeedToKnow ♬ original sound - Sun Star Davao

Duterte further warned of criminal consequences for falsification or forgery and urged those involved to be held accountable. He called for heightened scrutiny of the report, saying that public documents should be accurate and free from manipulation.

He also reminded the public to remain vigilant and called for anti-graft complaints against those responsible for the blanks. He emphasized that efforts should focus on raising the budget for crucial sectors like education, disaster preparedness, and welfare.

The former president concluded by saying that those in government must prioritize the Filipino people's interests and ensure the integrity of public funds. RGP

Rodrigo Duterte