DAVAO CITY — Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte called on the Marcos administration to prioritize funding for the military, education, disaster response, and social welfare, warning bureaucrats to avoid misuse of public funds.

Speaking boldly on the Basta Dabawenyo Podcast over the weekend, Duterte criticized alleged irregularities in the recently approved 2025 General Appropriations Act, citing billions of pesos in “blank allocations” in the Bicameral Conference Committee Report — an act he described as unconstitutional and potentially criminal.

“To those in the bureaucracy: Better stand up straight and prove yourselves true Filipinos, or you’ll be asking for your own downfall,” Duterte said in Filipino. “Our soldiers are already sacrificing for the country, and yet you still steal from them. Give them what they deserve. Allocate funds for education, disaster response, and welfare,” he added.

Duterte’s remarks came after Davao City Third District Congressman Isidro Ungab disclosed documents detailing questionable budgetary allocations in the approved 2025 budget.

“Don’t waste public money. I know these soldiers; they won’t let you get away with this. I’m warning you now — don’t push your luck,” the former president warned.

The documents allegedly included blank entries for key programs such as the agricultural and fishery modernization initiatives of the Department of Agriculture, as well as projects under the National Irrigation Administration and the Philippine Coconut Authority.

“These blank entries raise serious concerns about transparency and accountability in how taxpayer money is being allocated,” Ungab said during the podcast.

Joining Duterte and Ungab in the discussion were former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez and Atty. Martin Delgra III, who also weighed in on the implications of the alleged budget irregularities.

Duterte’s scathing remarks reflect an escalating political rift between the Duterte and Marcos camps, a division that has become increasingly evident since Vice President Sara Duterte resigned from the Marcos Cabinet as education secretary.