Malacañang said on Monday that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was not fully aware of the details regarding senators’ alleged insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
This comes after Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson revealed that almost all senators from the 19th Congress had individual insertions amounting to around ₱100 billion in the 2025 budget.
“Kung ito naman po ay nabulgar na at nailahad ni Sen. Lacson at 'yan din po ang nais na tutulan ng ating Pangulo. At ito din po ang naging dahilan kung bakit nagkakaroon tayo ng pag-iimbestiga tungkol sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects. So siguro po mas nailalahad ngayon kung ano ba talaga ang nangyari sa budget ng 2025," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a media briefing in the Palace.
Castro stressed that it is timely that the details of the 2025 budget are being clarified, particularly since Marcos has ordered an investigation into alleged anomalous flood control projects. She also emphasized that when the budget process was ongoing, the President did not have detailed knowledge of which senators made the insertions.
"Noong pong naisagawa po ang budget, definitely hindi po detalyado ang kanyang pagkakaalam kung ano ba ang mga insertions ng mga nasabing senador. Pero ngayon po dahil nakita po talaga at napansin po talaga ng Pangulo na anong nangyari sa pondo para sa flood control projects at ito ay naging bunga na rin para malaman ang mga ganyang klaseng insertions," Castro said.
She added that the individuals involved in the insertions should be held accountable and reflect on their actions, noting that they failed to uphold their duty as public servants.
Castro also reiterated Malacañang’s assurance that any anomalies in the 2026 budget will be vetoed.
"Sinabi po ng Pangulo even before, na kung meron man magkakamali o magiging anomalyang muli ang gagawin na budget sa 2026, ‘yan po ay kaniyang ive-veto," Castro emphasized.
In December 2024, Marcos signed the ₱6.326-trillion 2025 national budget after vetoing ₱194 billion worth of line items.
Castro further said that Marcos wants to ensure that government funds are allocated properly and benefit the people.
"Katulad na sinabi natin, gusto po talaga ng Pangulo na yung budget ay tama at maibigay sa tamang programa para sa kinabukasan at kapakinabangan ng taumbayan. Mas maganda po siguro maitanong 'to dun sa mga naglagay ng insertions. Ano po ang lesson learned nila?" she said.
