Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero hailed the signing of the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) on Monday, which he described as a product of a “truly collaborative process” involving the inputs of various sectors, including the public.

Escudero pointed out that a thorough review of the budget by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his economic team was part of the normal budget process, despite the signing taking longer than expected.

He noted that the enactment of the GAA serves as the most complicated bill that Congress is expected to pass every year.

“It should therefore no longer come as a surprise that the process is more prolonged and controversial compared to other bills and laws. What is important is that the 2025 GAA was signed before the year ended and the country avoided starting the new year on a reenacted budget,” he added.

Marcos earlier said the public’s inputs were taken into account during his review of the national budget, which Escudero noted as “a positive sign that the President listens and that democracy is well and alive in the country.”

“If governance is defined as ‘allocating scarce resources,’ then I am truly elated and encouraged that the people and all the branches of government took an active part in governance and governing our country,” Escudero said.

“This is precisely what democracy means, and it shows that we have a strong one where the system of checks and balances is alive and well,” he added.

In legislating the 2025 GAA, Escudero said the process involved a lot of “give and take,” considering the reality that “there are unlimited needs but finite resources” in the government.

“No one branch reigns supreme and dictates over the other. The expression of divergent and different opinions, views, and suggestions regarding the GAA are all well taken and are part and parcel of the process,” Escudero said.

Senate Committee on Finance Chairperson Grace Poe said the GAA signing marks a key moment of collaboration between the Executive and Legislative branches, who are united in ensuring that government operations remain seamless as we enter the new year.

“This new budget — rather than a mere reenactment — signals an alignment of fiscal priorities, reflecting a unified commitment to driving sustainable national development,” Poe said.

She believes that the conditional implementation of the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP) highlights Congress’ collective responsibility to safeguard against misuse and duplication of benefits.

“By refining its guidelines, we ensure that over 4 million low-income earners, including minimum-wage workers and those in the informal sector, continue to receive the support they need,” she said.

Poe stressed that wealth transfer programs must always be subjected to strict oversight, and through the President's convergence mandate, “AKAP will be better positioned to serve as a genuine social safety net,” she said.

Veto power

Meanwhile, Poe said the President’s veto of certain items in the Unprogrammed Appropriations underscores the importance of fiscal discipline.

As with previous budgets, she explained that the Executive is right to withhold funds for projects with uncertain funding sources or lacking actionable plans.

“By removing the standby authority, the veto ensures that government spending is based on solid revenues, not speculative projections,” she added.

She also noted the President’s veto on some projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways as a clear exercise of his authority as the chief architect of the nation’s infrastructure.

“It reiterates our commitment that every peso be spent only on shovel-ready, high-priority projects,” Poe said.

Poe said the Executive's support is critical in ensuring that PhilHealth leverages unused subsidies and member contributions accumulated over the years, to strengthen the comprehensive and affordable healthcare program it was designed to provide.

“The assurances from both the economic team and the PhilHealth board that its surplus and reserve funds are more than sufficient to cover indirect contributors and enhance benefit packages align with Congress’ view that PhilHealth should first tap into its standby funds before requesting additional subsidies,” she added.

Poe also expressed confidence that this year’s budget will not only prevent the misuse of public funds but also ensure that government spending remains responsible, sustainable, and in line with the government’s fiscal priorities.

Marcos signed into law the proposed P6.326 trillion national budget for fiscal year 2025 following a thorough review with the country's economic managers.