Malacañang announced on Friday that the Marcos administration shares the concerns of business groups regarding the prevention of public fund misuse in the proposed national budget. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated in a Viber message that the president supports the public clamor for a transparent and clean spending plan. The statement follows an appeal from more than 30 business and civil society organizations urging Congress to block budget insertions that lack proper technical justification.
Palace Position on Congressional Power of the Purse
While supporting transparency, the executive branch emphasized the separation of powers regarding fiscal matters. Castro noted that the national budget is a law drafted by Congress, which holds the power of the purse. This authority gives lawmakers the power to increase, decrease, or evaluate proposed allocations. The executive branch expressed hope that the proposed budget will not face reductions if doing so threatens to delay government programs and projects.
Did You Know? The budget department previously submitted its proposed budget to lawmakers, setting the stage for legislative deliberations and subsequent amendments by the House and Senate.
Business Groups Demand Scrutiny of Unjustified Insertions
The executive branch’s remarks come in response to a joint statement issued by more than 30 business and civil society organizations, including the Makati Business Club, the Management Association of the Philippines, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These groups called on congressional leaders—specifically Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, House Speaker Faustino Dy III, Senate Finance Committee Chair Joseph Victor Ejercito, and House Appropriations Committee Chair Mikaela Angela Suansing—to remove any congressional insertions that lack a technical basis. The coalition warned that unsupported allocations risk repeating history tied to substandard and “ghost” flood control projects.
Lawmakers debate mapping errors in budget proposals
Discussions surrounding the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 have intensified following the discovery of geographic mapping errors tied to infrastructure allocations. Deputy Speaker Ronaldo “Ronnie” Puno blamed the Executive branch for these errors, stating that line agencies submit project proposals and that Congress receives at least 25,000 projects every budget year without being responsible for verifying every exact detail. Meanwhile, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong alleged during a television program that certain politicians receive commissions of 20 percent to 30 percent from infrastructure projects to build campaign funds for the 2028 elections.
Malacanang responds to calls for budget protection
What prompted the recent statement from Malacañang?
The Palace statement was issued after more than 30 business and civil society organizations called on Congress to prevent unverified budget insertions and protect public funds from misuse.
Who holds the authority to alter the proposed national budget?
According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, Congress holds the power of the purse and possesses the authority to increase, decrease, or evaluate proposed allocations.
What specific outcome does the executive branch hope to avoid during budget deliberations?
The executive branch expressed hope that lawmakers will not reduce the proposed budget in a manner that delays government programs and projects.
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