Romualdez: House to scrutinize budget 'as ally, not adversary' of executive branch

Manila Bulletin

Speaker Martin Romualdez told the executive branch on Monday, Aug. 18 that the House of Representatives will carry out its review of the P6.793-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) as an ally and not as an adversary. (Video courtesy of House of Representatives)  READ: https://mb.com.ph/2025/08/18/romualdez-house-to-scrutinize-budget-as-ally-not-adversary-of-executive-branch  Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin  Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com @manilabulletin  #ManilaBulletinOnline #ManilaBulletin #LatestNews

Transcript

00:00Mga kasama ko sa Kongreso, mga miyembro ng Gabinete, at higit sa lahat, mga kabayawayang kong Pilipino.

00:10Mga lang maga po sa inyo lahat.

00:13Today, we open the Development Budget Coordination Committee deliberations.

00:19This is far more than a routine fiscal exercise.

00:22It is where the lifeblood of our nation, the people's money, is measured against the people's needs.

00:32Here in this Auguste Chamber, we commence the critical work of transforming vision into action, action into lasting progress.

00:41Just as every Filipino household plans its budget with care, we too must ensure that each peso deserves a meaningful purpose.

00:55Bawat piso ay may pinaglalaanan, at bawat gastusin ay dapat may pakinabang sa tao.

01:04Now, this is not merely a fiscal principle, it is a moral imperative.

01:13It is our solemn duty to translate this proposed $6.793 trillion budget into classrooms for our youth,

01:23medicine for our sick, roads for our farmers, jobs for our youth, and security for our nation.

01:34This is why the House has opened its doors wider than ever before.

01:40We've ended the practice of the small committee.

01:44We welcome civil society observers because the Filipino people deserve full transparency

01:51in how their hard-earned money is planned, allocated, and spent.

01:57Our economy continues to feel the effects of government.

02:03Transparency is not an option. It is a cornerstone of democratic governance, but candor requires

02:21that we also confront the hard truths. Our economy continues to feel the effects of global

02:28uncertainty. Inflation weighs heavily on the poor. Our debts swollen by the pandemic must be managed

02:38wisely. Growth targets must inspire confidence not only in our people, but in investors and markets

02:47that watch us closely. That is why this DBCC is so vital. It is the crucible where assumptions are

02:56examined, where aspirations are tested against reality. The national budget is not merely

03:04an accounting ledger. It is a vision. It stands as the government's most important policy instrument,

03:13the blueprint that must bring to life President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s call for a Bagong Pilipinas.

03:20It is a comprehensive plan to connect communities, lower food costs, uplift education, strengthen

03:31health care systems, and create livelihoods and safeguard our sovereignty. To our partners in the

03:40executive branch, allow me to be clear. We will scrutinize. We will question. We will deliberate

03:49thoroughly. But we do so not as adversaries, but as allies united by a shared purpose. For at the end

03:58of the day, at the heart of our collaboration lies a common goal, to deliver a better, more dignified life

04:09for every Filipino family. Let this DBCC be remembered not only for figures presented, but for the principles

04:19we upheld. Let it be said that here, leaders chose honesty over evasion, service over self-interest,

04:30and unity over division. Budgets are not built on numbers alone. They are built on trust. And trust

04:42is built on truth. If we honor the truth, this budget will not merely be a plan of government. It will be a covenant

04:52of hope of hope with every Filipino. Maraming salamat. Mabuhay ang sambayan ng Pilipino. Mabuhay ang

05:00med spaghetti. Mabuhay ang bangong Pilipinas.

05:02Agіз

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