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| (Photo Grab: PNA) |
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has characterized the legal challenge against the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the government. He emphasized that the administration had thoroughly vetted the budget to ensure it aligns with the country's priorities and complies with legal standards. Marcos expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would uphold the budget's constitutionality.
The 2025 budget has faced criticism for significant reductions in allocations to essential sectors such as health and education. Notably, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) saw a substantial decrease in its subsidy, raising concerns about the government's commitment to universal healthcare. In response, health advocacy groups have announced plans to file a case against the administration, arguing that the budget violates existing laws mandating annual funding for PhilHealth.
In defense, President Marcos acknowledged that while the budget might be "suboptimal," efforts are underway to address the identified shortcomings. He mentioned that the government is exploring ways to reallocate savings to restore funding to critical areas that experienced cuts during the legislative process.
The administration remains confident in the budget's integrity and is prepared to address any legal challenges that may arise. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated that while challenges are anticipated, the government believes its diligent efforts in crafting the budget will be upheld by the judiciary.
For a more in-depth analysis of the 2025 national budget, you might find the following
Phlippine News Agency - Marcos says SC case vs. 2025 budget part of destabilization
GMA Network - Marcos calls 2025 budget ‘suboptimal’