PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday, January 20, 2025, refuted claims made by former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding missing budget amounts and discrepancies in the newly approved P6.326 trillion national budget.
In a statement, Marcos called Duterte’s allegations "lies," saiying that such discrepancies could not occur in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
"He’s lying. He’s a president. He knows that you cannot pass a GAA with a blank... He’s lying," Marcos said in response to Duterte’s criticism.
In a January 18, 2025, appearance on the Basta Dabawenyo Podcast, Davao City Third District Representative Isidro C. Ungab revealed discrepancies in the Bicameral Conference Committee report on the 2025 budget, noting that several figures are missing in sections related to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and unprogrammed appropriations, including amounts in the billions of pesos.
READ: Ungab, Duterte question blank spaces in Bicam report
Ungab also questioned why the House and Senate approved the report, despite its incompleteness.
The report, ratified on December 11, 2024, has been criticized by Duterte, who argued that leaving blanks in a financial document is unacceptable and renders the budget invalid.
Duterte also warned of legal consequences for those responsible, urging scrutiny and accountability in handling public funds.
“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,” Duterte said.
(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.)
Marcos said throughout Philippine history, the GAA has always specified project details, expenses, and funding.
“It’s a lie,” Marcos said.
Marcos clarified that the budget details are available on the Department of Budget and Management website for public review, urging anyone to verify the accuracy of the report.
“Tingnan ninyo, huwag na ninyong busisiin isa-isa, hanapin niyo ‘yung sinasabi nila na blank check,” Marcos said.
("Look at it, don't scrutinize it one by one, just find what they are saying is a blank check.)
"Tingnan niyo kung mayroong kahit isa para mapatunayan na tama ang sinasabi ko [na] kasinungalingan ‘yan," the President added.
(Check if there is even one to prove that what I'm saying is true, that it's a lie.) (JGS/SunStar Philippines)