Senate on GAA signing: ‘A product of collaboration’

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

Escudero emphasized a thorough review of the budget by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his economic team was a standard part of the budget process, despite the signing taking longer than anticipated.

He said the General Appropriations Act is the most complicated bill that Congress must 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 said.

Marcos had said the public’s input was considered during his review of the national budget, a point that Escudero highlighted as “a positive sign the President listens and democracy is alive and well 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 that “there are unlimited needs but finite resources.”

“No one branch of government reigns supreme and dictates to the others. 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 marked 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 believed the conditional implementation of the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program highlighted the Congress’ collective responsibility to safeguard against misuse and duplication of benefits.