There should be an investigation and transparency regarding the alleged budget insertions in the 2025 national budget, estimated at around ₱142.7 billion.
This was stated by the Palace Press Officer, as these insertions reportedly threaten proper governance and project implementation, in addition to undermining public trust.
“Insertions delay projects because they are not part of the executive’s National Expenditure Program. Additional documentation and explanations are required, which slows down delivery and blurs accountability,” the official said.
Among the provinces said to have received large allocations are Bulacan, the stronghold of the Senate Majority Leader, with ₱12.08 billion, and Sorsogon, the home province of the Senate President, with ₱9.1 billion.
The official also criticized the Senate President’s questioning of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s statement about vetoing proposals with large budgets, emphasizing that while Congress has budgetary authority, it should not act like the executive branch.
“Their job is to make laws, not to implement them,” the official added.
The official clarified that this was not an attack on Congress but a call for an honest and transparent budget.
The alleged ₱3 billion inserted under the name of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is concerning, including ₱633 million supposedly for barangay health stations and super health centers. The senator should clarify whether he approved these projects.
The official stated that it is time for Congress to respect its role and provide answers—not excuses—in response to the Senate President’s claim that all insertions passed audit scrutiny and that he has no corruption cases in his 27 years of government service.
“The absence of cases is not automatic proof of innocence,” the official said.
