House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

Speaker Martin Romualdez gave a stern message to critics of the House of Representatives on Monday, Sept. 16, the first day of the marathon plenary debates on the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025. 

Addressing the plenary before the start of the budget debates, Romualdez said, "“We cannot ignore the reality that there are those who seek to undermine our work - critics who speak of accountability while conveniently ignoring their own misuse of public funds.” 

“To these individuals, I say, let us be clear: this chamber will not tolerate hypocrisy, [or] will it stand idle in the face of such blatant disregard for public trust,” he said, without mentioning anybody in particular. 

“Hindi maaaring magturo ng daliri ang may sariling kasalanan. Sa harap ng Kongreso, lahat ay dadaan sa tamang proseso, at walang makakatakas sa pananagutan,” the Speaker said, as he underscored that the 300-plus strong House will demand full transparency from all. 

(Those who have their own faults cannot point fingers at others. Here before Congress, everyone will go through the right process,, and no one will escape accountability.) 

“This House answers to no one but the people. We will stand firm against pressure or influence, and we will guard every peso as if it were our own. The eyes of the nation are on us, and we will not fail them,” added the usually reserved Romualdez. 

Opened for plenary sponsorship and debates on Monday morning was the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2025 worth P6.352 trillion--the biggest in the history of the country. 

The budget measure is designated as House Bill (HB) No.10800. 

Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district representative, emphasized that the House has long upheld the principles of transparency and accountability, ensuring that every government expenditure is scrutinized with precision and aligned with national priorities. He stressed that public funds must be used solely for the benefit of the people, not for personal enrichment. 

“Ang pera ng bayan ay hindi para sa pansariling pakinabang ng iilan. Tungkulin natin na tiyakin na bawat piso ay ginagamit para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan." 

(Public funds aren't for the personal benefit of a few. It's our responsibility to ensure that each peso is used for the welfare of our people.) 

The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president assured the public that the House would remain uncompromising in its defense of good governance, fiscal responsibility, and the protection of taxpayers’ money. 

Moreover, he made it clear that no individual or special interest would be given undue favor or consideration. “Walang makakalusot sa ating pagsusuri. Tayo ang boses at mata ng taumbayan, at sa kanilang pangalan, tayo ang magbabantay laban sa pag-abuso at korapsiyon." 

(Our scrutiny won't spare anyone. We are the voice and eyes of the people, and on my name, we will be vanguard against abuse and corruption.) 

Romualdez also commended his colleagues for their “diligence and commitment to defending public coffers". He told them that their priority “is the Filipino people, ensuring that public funds are responsibly allocation, well spent and protected from abuse". 

He said the budget policy “is designed to achieve fiscal discipline, while addressing the urgent needs of our people.”

The lone hitch in the budget process this year has been the deliberation on the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) budget under Vice President Sara Duterte. 

The appropriations panel is recommending a whopping P1.293-billion reduction on the OVP's P2.037-billion outlay for next year, following Vice President Duterte's no-show of the budget hearing on Sept. 10. 

Before this, the lady official attended an Aug. 27 hearing of the panel, but refused to answer the solons' questions directly, particularly on her use of confidential funds.

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https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/16/don-t-look-now-but-house-will-investigate-ovp-s-budget-spending

Co sponsors 2025 GAB 

Helping Romualdez set the tone for the plenary discussions on the GAB was Committee on Appropriations Chairman Ako-Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. 

"It is with great responsibility and honor that I stand before you to sponsor HB No. 10800, or the 2025 [GAB]. The fulfillment of one of Congress’ most vital responsibilities, this measure proposes P4.405 trillion in new appropriations, consisting of P4.247 trillion in programmed new appropriations and P158.67 billion in unprogrammed appropriations," Co said in his own speech. 

"Your Committee on Appropriations immediately got to work and conducted budget briefings and hearings from August 5 to September 10, 2024. We spent long hours to flesh out the projects, activities, and programs of the entire Philippine government. Today, we deliberate on that proposal as one body ensuring that it reflects our commitment to the Filipino people," he said. 

"This year’s budget theme is 'Agenda for Prosperity: Fulfilling the Needs and Aspirations of the Filipino People.' It aligns with the following three pillars of the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028," Co noted. 

He said the first pillar aims to develop and protect the capabilities of individuals and families; the second pillar seeks to transform production as to generate more quality jobs and competitive products and services; and the third pillar endeavors to create an enabling environment encompassing institutions, and physical and natural environments. 

"Looking ahead to 2025, the Philippine economy is projected to grow between 6.5 percent and 7.5 percent. This forecast signals not only our economic growth or strength but also our collective commitment to sustained development. 

"Our country remains on an upward trajectory. With consistency and continued determination, we are poised to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2025—a milestone that will bring about new opportunities and improved living standards for our people," said the Bicolano.