00:00Due to the aforementioned provisions and several projects, the President will first review the 2025 national budget instead of continuing the plan to increase it tomorrow.
00:14However, he promised to approve the budget before the new year.
00:19Ian Cruz was tuned in.
00:22In the review conducted by the President and several members of the Cabinet on the 2025 national budget,
00:31the President noticed the aforementioned provisions on the more than Php 6 trillion budget for the next year.
00:38The insertion was not included in the budget request.
00:45So what are those now? If it is really necessary, maybe others don't need it, can it be deferred?
00:53I cannot give you the details yet because we are now, that is what we are doing.
00:59We are going through item by item, line by line, to see what is priority and what is not.
01:07They also said that there is a gap in some projects included in the proposed budget.
01:12We are starting to see some project proposals that do not have the appropriate program of work,
01:20no appropriate documentation, it is not clear where the money will go.
01:26That is what we will clarify.
01:28The President is not yet signing the version of the budget that passed through the Bicameral Conference Committee,
01:34after it was approved by the fearsome BATICOS.
01:38We are the only ones who are recognizing the controversial return of the Zero Subsidy to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
01:48or PhilHealth, as well as the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways or DPWH
01:54for Php 1.1 trillion, even though it is stated in the Constitution that education should be the highest priority in the budget.
02:02That is why the President decided to return the budget to the Bicameral Conference Committee to fix it.
02:08But he said that it cannot be done anymore.
02:10It is not in the procedure. There is no procedure to return it to the Bicameral Conference Committee.
02:15It's finished in Congress. It's up to us now to look at the items and to see what are appropriate, what are relevant and what are the priorities.
02:30According to the President, he will not avoid vetoing some provisions of the 2025 National Budget
02:37so that the priority of the government will be the budget for the next year.
02:42Many things have changed from the budget request from the different departments.
02:49We have to put it back in the same shape that we had first requested.
02:55So unfortunately, we are only left now, I am only left now with the veto power.
03:04Now it's up to us on how we regain control of the spending program.
03:11Tomorrow, the President will sign the General Appropriations Act of 2025.
03:17But it still needs time for their review.
03:21For now, the President assured that the budget will be approved before the new year.
03:26When it comes to the issue of the lack of subsidy for PhilHealth in the National Budget,
03:31the President assured that the public should not be worried.
03:35This is my guarantee. My guarantee is very simple.
03:38Even if there is a subsidy, even if there is no subsidy, even if there is a contribution, all of these issues,
03:44PhilHealth's services will not be reduced.
03:49President Bongbong Marcos was at the Villamor Air Base earlier
03:53for the change of command and retirement ceremony of the Philippine Air Force
03:58where Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura replaced Lt. Gen. Stephen Pareño
04:05as the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force.
04:08The President is also preparing for the celebration of Christmas
04:12with plans to go to Baguio and Ilocos.
04:15For SGMA Integrated News, Ian Cruz, Sacatuto.
04:18Twenty-four hours.
Comments