Imee Marcos Urges Transparency in Finalizing ₱6.3 Trillion 2025 National Budget

The projected P6.3 trillion national budget for 2025 should be finalized transparently, according to SEN. Imee Marcos, to prevent any last-minute additions.

There will be bicameral conference committee (bicam) discussions on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) from November 28 to 30. The senator urged for a "more inclusive and open process" during these discussions.

In addition to restating her dedication to economic restraint, Marcos asked her fellow MPs to give transparency and communication top priority during the discussions.

"There should be transparency for the P6.532 trillion budget for 2025. And we must avoid at all costs, last-minute insertions, and unpleasant surprises in our nation's budget," she said on Monday.

When drafting the General Appropriations Bill, Marcos stresses the importance of a transparent and cooperative process that enables all interested parties to make meaningful changes.

Through Sen. Grace Poe, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, Marcos wrote to Senate President Francis Escudero, outlining strategies to guarantee cooperation and openness in the finalization of the 2025 national budget.

In order for the vice chairmen of the finance subcommittee "to actively participate in discussions regarding proposed budget amendments," she brought up the necessity of making them all official members of the bicam.

The senator recommended pre-bicam communication with colleagues in the House of Representatives and underlined the significance of candid conversations among bicam members over significant changes to the GAB.