(Photo courtesy of PCO)
MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday urged lawmakers to closely scrutinize the proposed 2027 national budget and address questionable allocations to ensure public funds are properly spent.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is encouraging lawmakers and concerned sectors to report possible irregularities or “red flags” in the proposed spending measure.
Castro clarified that the Executive Branch’s responsibility was to prepare and submit the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), while subsequent amendments and decisions made by the House of Representatives fall outside the President’s authority.
“Ang isinagawa po ng ehekutibo ay ang proposed budget. Kung ano man po ang nangyari at naging desisyon sa House of Representatives, hindi po iyan saklaw ng Pangulo,” Castro said.
The Palace statement came after the Makabayan bloc filed a resolution seeking the recall of House Bill 10858, citing alleged prohibited lump-sum appropriations and undisclosed amendments in the proposed national budget.
Castro emphasized that provisions flagged by lawmakers must undergo proper examination, noting that the Senate has committed to reviewing allocations that may contain irregularities.
She said the administration wants the 2027 spending plan to be transparent, properly reviewed and free from questionable allocations.
“Hinihikayat ng Pangulo ang lahat ng maaaring magsalita sa kanilang maaaring nakikitang red flags dahil kailangan na ang budget sa 2027 ay dapat maayos, malinis at pondong magagamit para sa taumbayan,” Castro said.
The Makabayan bloc argued that the proposed budget contains provisions and lump-sum allocations similar to those previously questioned before the Supreme Court in connection with the 2024, 2025 and 2026 national budgets.
The Senate, however, rejected calls to recall the measure, warning that doing so would delay the passage of the 2027 national budget.
The Palace maintained that lawmakers should thoroughly examine the proposed appropriations to ensure government resources are allocated appropriately and used for programs that benefit the public.
