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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Nakikiusap ako': Imee Marcos appeals to PBBM to scrutinize 2025 budget

'Nakikiusap ako': Imee Marcos appeals to PBBM to scrutinize 2025 budget

Published Dec 16, 2024 07:53 am

Senator Imee Marcos appealed to his brother, President Marcos to scrutinize the proposed P6.352-trillion 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) before signing it.

"Nananawagan ako sa aking kapatid, ang ating mahal na Pangulong Bongbong - kung mahina ang aking boses mag-isa, ngayon nawa ay marinig mo ang sama- samang sumamo ng taumbayan (I am reaching out to my brother, our beloved President Bongbong - if my voice is weak when I speak alone, I hope you can hear the collective plea of the people now)," she said in a statement.

"Noong ikaw ay nag-SONA, nagsabi ka ng mga proyektong dapat unahin -- ngayon, sinusuway ka ng ilang taong akala mong makabubuti para sa sayo at sa bayan (When you delivered your State of the Nation Address, you mentioned the projects that should be prioritized—now, some people you thought would be beneficial for you and the country are going against you)," she added.

She made the call amid the budget cuts to various government agencies in the final version of the GAB mainly the 2025 budgets of the Department of Health (DOH) which was decreased by P25.80 billion, Department of Education (DepEd) decreased by P11.57 billion.

This was also amid the retaining of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) has been allocated P26 billion under the proposed 2025 national budget and the zero subsidy budget of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

"Minabuti ko munang maghanap ng mga papeles at dokumento bago sana magsalita at magbigay ng reaksyon- ngunit sa kasamaang-palad, lahat kami ay nangangapa sa dilim. Walang mga detalye o paliwanag, ni walang konkretong numero (I wanted to look for papers and documents before speaking and giving my reaction, but unfortunately, we are all searching in the dark. There are no details or explanations, and not even any concrete numbers)," she said.

"Ang tanging hawak ko ay ang ilang datos ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) na talagang nilapastangan, lalo na itong PhilHealth (The only information I have is some data from the DSWD that has been seriously compromised, especially regarding PhilHealth)," she added.

The senator also criticized the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget, which ballooned to P1.1 trillion yet has a zero budget for flood control.

Marcos assured that she did not sign any paper regarding the 2025 budget even the Bicameral Conference Committee report which for her, pushes for the budget cuts for legitimate projects for the sake of AKAP, which she has already opposed.

Marcos asked his brother to focus on the budget and " remind that the interference of lawmakers in certain departments and branches of government is against the law and the conscience of the people."

"Ayaw kitang mapahamak, ayaw kong mabigo ang pamamahala mo. Mag-ingat tayo sa mga pinagkakatiwalaan, at pakinggan ang boses ng taumbayan para sa kapakanan ng mas nakararami at nangangailangan (I don’t want you to be harmed, and I don’t want your leadership to fail. Let’s be careful with those we trust, and listen to the voice of the people for the benefit of the majority and those in need)," she added.

Related Tags

2025 general appropriations bill (GAB) President Marcos Senator Imee Marcos Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
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