MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. made a bold statement in response to growing concerns over the constitutionality of the 2025 national budget, rejecting claims that the government might face a shutdown if the Supreme Court rules against it.
Marcos criticized those behind the petition, calling them out for allegedly seeking to destabilize the government. “This is exactly what they want—shut down everything. They want the government to grind to a halt so they can push their destabilization agenda forward,” he said to reporters. “Let them have their way, but the General Appropriations Act (GAA) is rock-solid in terms of constitutionality.”
The petitioners, including Marcos’ former executive secretary and senatorial aspirant Vic Rodriguez, and Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab, are challenging the legality of the 2025 budget, arguing that it contains irregularities, including so-called “blank items” in the bicameral conference committee report. The case names House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senate President Francis Escudero, and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin as respondents.
Despite the challenge, Marcos expressed confidence that the budget would stand up to scrutiny. “SolGen Menard [Guevarra] assures me we’re on solid constitutional ground. I don’t understand why they even bother with this nonsense,” he remarked, adding that the Solicitor General would handle the case in court.
Addressing the allegations about blank items, the president reaffirmed that the P6.326 trillion budget was thoroughly vetted. House Committee on Appropriations chairperson Stella Quimbo also reiterated that no blank items existed in the bill signed by Marcos.
On December 30, Marcos signed the budget into law, though he exercised his veto power to remove over P194 billion in line items he deemed inconsistent with his administration’s priorities.
Rodriguez, on the other hand, stood firm, asserting that a government shutdown would not occur even if the court sides with the petitioners. “If the high court issues a restraining order, the government will operate on a reenacted budget. It won’t shut down,” he countered. “Our petition is about safeguarding public funds, preventing misuse, and upholding the rule of law.”
As the legal battle continues, both sides remain steadfast in their positions, setting the stage for a prolonged standoff over the future of the 2025 national budget.
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