Malacañang urges budget watchdogs: Submit ‘red flags’ on 2027 budget

MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday called on budget watchdogs to submit the “red flags” in the House-approved proposed 2027 national budget, emphasizing their role in helping the government to protect public funds.

The group People’s Budget Coalition earlier raised concerns over nearly 7,000 infrastructure projects worth P190 billion, among others, allegedly added by House of Representatives lawmakers to their version of proposed 2027 budget, saying many lacked supporting documents and clear justifications.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said it would be better for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to hear himself the details of the supposed insertions.

“So sa mga nagbabantay ng budget, kung mayroon po kayong mismong kopya na inyong nakita at napansin na red flag ay ipagbigay-alam lang po ninyo sa amin, bigyan po ninyo kami ng kopya, mismo ang PCO [Presidential Communications Office] dahil kakailanganin din po ito ng Pangulo,” Castro said in a press briefing Tuesday, November 3.

The Palace is also willing to work with budget overseers, according to Castro.

“Noon ko pa ito sinabi, noong huling briefing natin sa Bukidnon na ang mga tagabantay ng budget ay kailangan ng gobyerno. Kailangan po kayo para po madinig kayo ng Pangulo,” she noted.

Marcos Jr. will also not approve amendments to the 2027 national budget that have no proper documentation and description, Castro assured.

“Ang utos ng Pangulo, ang pondo ng bayan ay hindi dapat inaabuso. Ang pondo ng bayan ay dapat sa taumbayan hindi sa bulsa ng ninuman. Hindi ito sweet talks katulad noong sinasabi ng iba. Ginawa na ng pangulo, inumpisahan na ng Pangulo para iparamdam sa mga nang-aabuso sa pondo na wala kayong lugar at mapuwesto sa gobyerno kung kayo ay magnanakaw lang,” she said.

The Palace official also reiterated that the president will not intervene with Congress.

“Ang budget ay hindi pa po tapos, bubusisiin iyan katulad ng pangako ng Senado. Dadaan pa po iyan sa bicam conference at dadaan pa po iyan sa pagsusuri ng economic team ng Pangulo bago ito pirmahan kaya huwag sanang ipalabas agad na mayroon nang anomalya at ang lumalabas na may kasalanan ay ang administrasyon. Sana huwag naman ganoon ang maging spin ng kuwento ng iba,” Castro noted.

Asked about Marcos’ message on the budget issue with regard to his priority and legacy projects, Castro responded, “Huwag kayong magbawas diyan. Huwag bawasan ang alam na proposed budget ng ehekutibo.” 

Meanwhile, Castro confirmed that the Office of the Solicitor General will submit a motion for reconsideration before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, November 4.

Last October 20, the SC declared the unconstitutionality of the 2024 and 2025 General Appropriations Act and several special provisions of the 2026 national budget due to increases in the president’s total recommended appropriations through prohibited lump sums.

“Kaugnay doon sa mga budget na maaapektuhan, hihintayin na lang po muna natin ang final na motion for reconsideration at saka ko po iuulat sa inyo,” Castro said.