00:00Some groups protested their questioning of the 2025 General Appropriations Act signed by the President
00:09as part of the remaining funds for the controversial ACAP program.
00:14And MAV Gonzales was there.
00:19Even though it was raining, there were groups who rallied in Mendiola to condemn the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
00:26The police arrested the Mendiola Peace Arch while the groups were protesting on the streets.
00:32MAKABAYANBLOCK said that the President only made live vetoes
00:36because there were those who were angry with the reduction of the funds for education.
00:40We're thinking about it. Let's transfer it here. Let's add it here so that people won't protest.
00:46If you're just going to veto a few line items, what you need to do is to pass it.
00:50ACT Teacher's Party List Representative Franz Castro also questioned the ACAP program
00:55for the second year in a row that it was cut from the budget.
00:58Who will really go to this ACAP program?
01:01The services should be increased in terms of salary instead of the workers getting additional aid.
01:10The Palace also said that there are ways to monitor the use of funds.
01:15We can check that. Those people who notice that, they can complain.
01:20And then we will go to investigate.
01:23Our law presumes good faith in everyone. All actions in good faith.
01:32If you have bad faith, that's when you come now, your religion or the people who agree.
01:38Gabriela Party List Representative Arlene Brosas also questioned the large fund for military infrastructure
01:44which is not the primary need of the citizens.
01:48Two lawmakers have yet to see their presidential vetoes.
01:52But there are things that need to be answered to ensure the 2025 national budget is constitutional.
01:58Senate President Cheese Escudero said that even though it took a long time,
02:02it's important to sign the 2025 bill before the year ends so that there won't be a re-enacted budget.
02:09Now that the budget has passed, the government's programs should be implemented immediately.
02:14Senate Finance Committee Chair Sen. Grace Poe added that
02:18safeguarding against misuse and duplication of benefits is the conditional implementation of the ACAP program.
02:24Low-income earners will still receive aid under the more clear guidelines of the ACAP.
02:30The Economic Team and the PhilHealth Board also assured that their surplus and reserve funds are sufficient
02:36to cover indirect contributors and to improve their benefit packages.
02:41This is in line with the Congress' view that PhilHealth should spend their standby funds first
02:47before asking for additional subsidies.
02:50Senate Minority Leader Coco Pimentel was pleased that the President reduced the overall importance of the 2025 national budget.
02:57But hopefully, he also reduced the unprogrammed appropriations and returned it to the level first requested by the President.
03:05Palacio is confident in the budget signed by the President, but admitted that it won't be able to stop the
03:16We are confident, but we cannot prevent. If there will be challenges that will be mounted by any quarter,
03:20who might still find this present budget as approved, worthy of the challenge.
03:27For GMA Integrated News, Mav Gonzalez, Nakatutok, 24 Horas.
03:35For GMA Integrated News, Mav Gonzalez, Nakatutok, 24 Horas.
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