We, the Makabayan bloc representatives, strongly condemn the 2025 General Appropriations Bill based on the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the 2025 national budget that is set to be signed into law by Pres. Marcos Jr. on December 30 for its blatant anti-people character, slashing essential social services while boosting pork barrel infrastructure and military spending.
“The 2025 budget exposes the Marcos Jr. regime’s real priorities. While our people struggle with rising costs of basic goods and services, this administration rewards its political allies and the military with billions in funding increases,” ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said.
“Napakalaking insulto sa mga guro, healthcare workers, at mamamayan na binabawasan ang pondo para sa kanilang mga serbisyo habang binubusog ang mga kaalyadong pulitiko at ang militar para sa korapsyon at panunupil,” Castro added. “Sa paglobo ng public works budget, lalong lumalaki ang pagkakataong kumita sa kickback mula sa mga kontraktor. Ito ang pinakapalasak na anyo ng korapsyon sa lahat ng antas ng gubyerno.”
The budget cuts to critical social services are alarming:
– DepEd’s Basic Education Facilities slashed to P28.05B
– DOH’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program reduced
– Philhealth also got zero subsidy which will make it worse for beneficiaries
Meanwhile, the following saw increases:
-P289 billion increase in the DPWH budget, making it P1.1 trillion
– CAFGU compensation hiked to P9B
– AFP Modernization maintained at P35B
– BOC employee rewards bloated to P3.6B
“This is a budget of misplaced priorities. Instead of addressing the people’s urgent needs for adequate health services, quality education, and social protection, billions are poured into militarization and bureaucratic perks,” Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas emphasized.
“Patuloy na nagdurusa ang ating mga kababayan sa kawalan ng sapat na ayuda at serbisyong panlipunan habang binubusog ang militar at mga burukrata. This budget perpetuates systemic inequality and state violence,” Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel stated.
We note the purported going rate for public works kickbacks now stands at 30% of the contract value. This means that of the roughly Php 1 trillion in infrastructure funding, Php 300 billion will go to kickbacks. That is the gargantuan scale of corruption that this budget could enable.
We call on the Filipino people to unite and resist this anti-people budget.#
