Piqued by criticisms hurled by public officials of the meticulous scrutiny by the House at the ongoing hearings for the 2025 budget and how previous funds have been spent by national departments and state agencies, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez warned that the Chamber would adopt “zero tolerance” for those who undermine accountability while conveniently ignoring their own malfeasance.
He said the Chamber will “not tolerate hypocrisy, evasion, or misuse of public funds.”
He also assured that the country’s economic growth will translate into real, tangible benefits for all Filipinos. His speech was carried by all the papers and in the website of the House.
Romualdez emphasized the need for accountability and transparency, calling out those who “criticize government spending while ignoring their own misdeeds.”
“We cannot ignore the reality that there are those who seek to undermine our work—critics who speak of accountability while conveniently ignoring their own misuse of public funds,” he said without mentioning names (but obviously one of those being hit is Vice President Sara Duterte).
“To these individuals, I say, let us be clear: this Chamber will not tolerate hypocrisy, nor will it stand idle in the face of such blatant disregard for public trust. In front of Congress, everyone must go through the proper process, and no one will escape accountability,” he added.
Public benefit
Romualdez underscored that public funds should be used solely for the benefit of the people, not for personal gain.
“Public funds are not for the personal gain of a few. It is our duty to ensure that every peso is used for the welfare of our fellow citizens,” Romualdez said.
The Speaker assured the public that the House would remain uncompromising in its defense of good governance, fiscal responsibility, and the protection of taxpayers’ money. He made it clear that no individual or special interest would be given undue favor or consideration.
“This House answers to no one but the people. We will stand firm against pressure or influence, and we will guard every peso as if it were our own. The eyes of the nation are on us, and we will not fail them,” Romualdez said.
“As legislators, we are not only guardians of the national purse, but also stewards of the people’s trust. Every peso we allocate in this budget carries with it the sweat and sacrifice of millions of Filipinos, and it is our duty to ensure that these resources are spent wisely, effectively, and with absolute accountability,” he said.
Romualdez said the budget policy “is designed to achieve fiscal discipline, while addressing the urgent needs of our people.”
“It reflects the aspirations of the nation and serves as a roadmap toward stability, progress, and shared prosperity,” he said.
Power of the purse
AKO Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, House Committee on Appropriations chairman, emphasized the critical role of the national budget in shaping the nation’s policies and guiding the Philippines’ trajectory.
Co underscored the legislature’s “power of the purse,” stating that the budget would prioritize sectors such as education, infrastructure, healthcare, and poverty reduction.
The proposed budget, which consists of P4.405 trillion in new appropriations and P2.105 trillion in automatic appropriations, aims to drive the country’s growth and address pressing socio-economic issues, particularly poverty alleviation.
Co said the budget allocations for 2025 focus heavily on several key sectors.
The largest portion, P977.6 billion, is earmarked for education, aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of schooling, thus making it the top priority.
Public works and highways will receive P900 billion to address infrastructure needs, including improvements to roads, bridges, and flood control systems.
Healthcare is allocated P297.6 billion to bolster health services and ensure universal coverage.
Easing poverty
Additionally, significant funding is designated for defense and social welfare, with P256.1 billion and P230.1 billion, respectively, to support peace and order efforts and protect the welfare of marginalized communities.
Co also highlighted the goal of reducing poverty to a single-digit rate of 9 percent by 2028.
The 2023 poverty incidence data showed a decrease to 15.5 percent from 18.1 percent in 2021, a notable achievement that lifted 2.45 million Filipinos out of poverty.
However, Co emphasized that sustained investment in education, healthcare, job creation, and social protection is essential to achieving the long-term goal.
The Philippine economy is projected to grow by 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent in 2025, a positive outlook signaling continued recovery and progress.
Co reiterated the importance of ensuring that this growth translates into tangible benefits for all Filipinos.
“The challenge before us is to ensure that the growth we achieve leads to real, positive transformation in the lives of every Filipino,” Co said.
Co urged his fellow lawmakers to prioritize the swift passage of the General Appropriations bill,
stressing its critical importance for the efficient implementation of government programs. He called for unity in ensuring that the budget supports poverty eradication and benefits the most vulnerable Filipinos.
“As one Congress, let us join hands in ensuring that this budget reflects the aspirations of our people, aligns with our vision for equitable progress, and fosters sustainable growth,” Co added.
The House is eyeing the passage of the General Appropriation bill on September 25.
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