Escudero: Approval of 2025 budget shows checks and balances alive and well

The approval of the 2025 national budget law signals a vibrant checks and balances system in the government, Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said as he welcomed the signing of the General Appropriations Act for next year.

In a statement, Escudero noted President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s remark that the inputs of the people were taken into account in the review of the 2025 GAA, saying this is a "positive sign that the President listens and that democracy is well and alive in the country.”

“If governance is defined as ‘allocating scarce resources’ then I am truly elated and encouraged that the people and all the branches of government took an active part in governance and governing of our country. This is precisely what democracy means, and it shows that we have a strong one where the system of checks and balances is alive and well,” Escudero said.

Earlier in the day, Marcos signed the 2025 national budget and announced that the  directly vetoed over P194 billion worth of line items that are not consistent with his administration's priorities, including some programs of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

These include allocations for certain programs and projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and those under the Unprogrammed Appropriations, which increased by 300%, the president said.

Marcos also said the government would pursue conditional implementation on certain items to guarantee that public funds will be used in accordance with their authorized and stated purpose.

Escudero expressed respect for the decision of the president and maintained that the Senate took their “constitutional duty to appropriate seriously in utmost respect to the  people  whose taxes are what make the budget possible.”

“We will therefore be remiss in our duties if  we do not vet budgetary items and verify the merit of each proposed expenditure. Our work is not to blindly ratify proposals, but to review them rigorously, and if need be, recalibrate the budget to align with the needs of the people. Not to do so amounts to betrayal of public trust,” Escudero said.

“No one branch reigns supreme and dictates over the other. The expression of divergent and different opinions, views and suggestions regarding the GAA are all well taken and are part and parcel of the process,” he added.

For Escudero, the important thing is the national budget for 2025 was signed before the end of the year and the country "avoided starting the new year on a reenacted budget."

“I have always believed in the dictum that while we debate ideas, this should not derail the country’s process. Ultimately, however, regardless of whose side prevails, we must all come together, wiser, better, and stronger to face the challenges that lie ahead in the coming year as one nation and one people,” the Senate chief said.

“We are glad that the improvements we made on the budget were conformed to by the executive. As much that it respected our amendments on the budget, we too respect the other branch’s disagreement on the proposals we put forward,” he said.

With the budget for 2025 now approved, Escudero said the challenge now is in the Executive Branch as they are expected to implement the projects swiftly.

“Now that the budget authorization phase is concluded, it is time for each and every program, activity and project in the  budget to be implemented on time, in full, according to specifications, and without delay. Conditional implementation should not constrict spending,” he said.

Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Grace Poe also issued a similar statement, saying the signing of the 2025 GAA "marks a key moment of collaboration between the Executive and Legislative branches, united in ensuring that government operations remain seamless as we enter the new year."

"This new budget—rather than a mere reenactment—signals an alignment of fiscal priorities, reflecting a unified commitment to driving sustainable national development," she said.

Like Escudero, Poe welcomed the president's decision to veto some projects and put some under conditional implementation.

The Senate finance committee chairperson said the conditional implementation of the AKAP highlights the collective responsibility to safeguard the funds against "misuse and duplication of benefits."

"By refining its guidelines, we ensure that over 4 million low-income earners, including minimum-wage workers and those in the informal sector, continue to receive the support they need. Wealth transfer programs must always be subject to strict oversight, and through the President's convergence mandate, AKAP will be better positioned to serve as a genuine social safety net," she said.

For Poe, the veto on some items in the unprogrammed appropriations "underscores the importance of fiscal discipline" while the veto on some infrastructure programs of the DPWH "is a clear exercise of the President's authority as the chief architect of our nation’s infrastructure."

"Overall, I am confident that this year’s budget will not only prevent the misuse of public funds but also ensure that government spending remains responsible, sustainable, and in line with our fiscal priorities," she said.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III was elated by Marcos' decision to reduce the total amount of the 2025 national budget.

However, Pimentel said he was hoping for "more reduction in programmed appropriations in order to give education the highest budgetary priority and even greater reduction in the unprogrammed appropriations in order to bring it back to the level as proposed in the National Expenditure Program by the President."

According to data provided during the signing of the 2025 GAA, the education sector obtained the highest share in the P6.326 trillion budget for fiscal year 2025 after Marcos vetoed some infrastructure items in the budget bill ratified by Congress.

Despite the veto of the president, former senator Panfilo Lacson still warned of constitutional challenges that may be posed against the 2025 budget law.

"Having vetoed only P26.065 [billion] from the P288 [billion] 'congressional insertions', mostly in the bicameral conference, the budget for education is still not 'assigned the highest budgetary priority' contrary to Article XIV Sec 5(5) of the 1987 Constitution," Lacson said.

"That being said, Malacañang may already be preparing for any constitutional challenge that may arise from this—both before the Supreme Court and the court of public opinion," he added. — BM, GMA Integrated News