SEN. Imee Marcos called for transparency in finalizing the proposed P6.3 trillion 2025 national budget to avoid any last-minute insertions.
The senator pressed for a “more inclusive and open process” in the upcoming bicameral conference committee (bicam) deliberations on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) to be held from Nov. 28 to 30.
Marcos reaffirmed her commitment to fiscal responsibility and urged her fellow lawmakers to prioritize openness and dialogue in the deliberations.
Sen. Imee Marcos. PHOTO: MIKE ALQUINTO
“There should be transparency for the P6.532 trillion budget for 2025. And we must avoid at all costs, last-minute insertions, and unpleasant surprises in our nation’s budget,” she said on Monday.
“It is critical that we adopt a collaborative and transparent approach in crafting the General Appropriations Bill. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about shaping the future of our country,” Marcos said in a statement.
“All stakeholders must have the opportunity to weigh in on significant amendments to ensure we address the real needs of the Filipino people,” she added.
In a letter addressed to Senate President Francis Escudero coursed through Sen. Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Marcos proposed ways to ensure collaboration and transparency in finalizing the 2025 national budget.
She raised the need to include all vice chairmen of the finance subcommittee as official members of the bicam to enable them “to actively participate in discussions regarding proposed budget amendments.”
The senator pointed out that any major changes to the GAB should be openly discussed among bicam members.
She recommended pre-bicam coordination with counterparts from the House of Representatives to “align priorities and address potential disagreements before formal deliberations.”
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