Palace assures scrutiny of ₱206 billion in House budget realignments

Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said Congress should scrutinize nearly ₱206 billion in proposed budget realignments flagged by Senator JV Ejercito, assuring the public that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would not allow funds to be diverted to questionable projects.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said senators could review and challenge changes made by the House of Representatives to the proposed 2027 national budget during the bicameral conference committee.

“Kung nakikita ng ibang mga senador na parang sa tingin nila ay hindi dapat nangyari, may version naman sila. Magkakaroon ng bicam conference, so diyan na nila lahat busisiin iyan,” Castro said during a palace briefing.

[Translation: If some senators believe these changes should not have happened, they have their own version of the budget. There will be a bicameral conference committee where they can scrutinize everything ] 

Ejercito flagged funding cuts on transportation, health, and calamity-related programs, alongside increases in allocations for other agencies and assistance programs.

Among the changes questioned were a new ₱10-billion allocation for the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk Program, additional funding for the Department of Public Works and Highways, and increases in medical assistance funds previously criticized over concerns about political patronage – new items and realignments that will come a year before the general election.

Castro said the administration remained committed to making sure that public funds would benefit Filipinos.

“Ang pangako naman ng pangulo at ng DBM … hindi papayagan na ang pondo na maibibigay na magkakaroon sa 2027 ay magamit sa kung saan-saan. Dapat ang pondo, bawat piso ay para sa Pilipino,” she said.

[Translation: The president and the Department of Budget and Management have promised not to allow funds in the 2027 budget to be used for improper purposes. Every peso must be for Filipinos.] 

She said the president and the DBM could place certain appropriations under a “for later release” mechanism, requiring project proponents to establish their feasibility before funds are released.

“Kung hindi mo iyan mapro-prove, the funds would not be released,” Castro said. 

[Translation: If you cannot prove it, the funds will not be released.]