Malacañang Denounces Duterte’s Allegations on 2025 National Budget Discrepancies
Table of Contents
Introduction
On Monday, Malacañang strongly rejected the claims made by former President Rodrigo Duterte Exposes Fake News about supposed discrepancies in the 2025 national budget, specifically allegations of blank pages in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin denounced these assertions as “malicious” and branded them as “criminal misinformation.” This article dives into the details of the controversy, the reactions from various officials, and the clarification made by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Duterte’s Allegations: Rodrigo Duterte Exposes Fake News
Duterte’s recent statements suggested that the 2025 national budget, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., contained blank pages. He claimed that these empty sections allowed the administration to later fill in figures, likening it to a blank check. His accusations stirred significant concern, leading to a response from Malacañang.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin’s Denouncement
In a press statement, Bersamin quickly dismissed the allegations, calling them “outrightly malicious” and unsubstantiated. According to Bersamin, the 4,057 pages of the P6.326-trillion national budget underwent a thorough review process, ensuring that no part of the document was left unfinished or unaccounted for before it was signed into law by President Marcos.
“The peddling of such fake news is criminal,” Bersamin said, emphasizing that the budget’s line-by-line scrutiny was conducted by hundreds of professional staff, including officials from Congress and the Department of Budget and Management. This meticulous review, he asserted, ensured that no discrepancies or omissions existed.
Clarification from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
The DBM swiftly responded to Duterte’s claims, providing a clear distinction between the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) and the Bicameral Conference Committee (Bicam) report. The department clarified that the allegations were based on pages from the Bicam report, not the finalized GAB or the GAA signed by President Marcos.
The DBM stated, “What has been presented by certain misinformed individuals are pages from the Bicameral Conference (Bicam) Committee Report, and NOT the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) nor the GAA.” The GAB, it stressed, is the official document that was submitted to and signed by the President, and it was a complete, finalized document, free from blank pages or missing details.
Importance of Accurate Communication
The DBM further cautioned the public about the dangers of spreading false information. In their statement, they encouraged Filipinos to verify facts before making any allegations, noting that misinformation could undermine public trust and cause unnecessary panic. “Clear and accurate understanding is critical for constructive dialogue,” they urged.
Duterte’s Legal Perspective
Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, speaking on behalf of Duterte, offered a different angle on the issue. He clarified that Duterte’s remarks about Rodrigo Duterte Exposes Fake News were based on the legal findings of Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab, who flagged discrepancies in the Bicam report.
According to Panelo, Duterte’s comments were based on an assumption that these discrepancies were present in the finalized GAA, and that if such errors were true, those responsible could face legal consequences.
“FPRRD is saying IF as charged by Ungab, the GAA was signed with infirmities, then those responsible could go to jail,” Panelo explained. However, this legal opinion was rooted in a hypothetical scenario, and no official evidence was presented to back the claims.
DBM’s Reassurance: No Discrepancies in the GAA
Bersamin emphasized that all the allegations could easily be debunked by reviewing the official GAA. He stressed that the public could view the full, scrutinized budget on the DBM website. After this review, it was clear that no items in the budget had been left with blank appropriations.
“Anyone who conducts the same rigorous examination of the 2025 National Budget — which the public can view on the DBM website — will come to the same conclusion: that there is no program, activity, or project at all with blank appropriations in that carefully vetted law,” Bersamin asserted.
Conclusion: A Call for Unity and Truth
As the controversy continues to unfold, it’s clear that the government has taken strong action to clarify the situation.
The 2025 national budget has been thoroughly vetted and signed into law by President Marcos, and the claims of blank pages and discrepancies appear to be grounded in misinformation. It is crucial that the public relies on accurate, verified information to foster a sense of unity and trust in the government’s processes.
FAQs
Q: What was the accusation made by Duterte regarding the 2025 budget?
A: Duterte alleged that the 2025 national budget had blank pages that were purposely left empty for later filling in amounts, effectively likening it to a blank check.
Q: How did Malacañang respond to Rodrigo Duterte Exposes Fake News?
A: Malacañang, represented by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, called the allegations malicious and criminal, emphasizing that the budget had been thoroughly reviewed and finalized with no blank pages.
Q: What did the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) clarify?
A: The DBM clarified that the documents being referred to by Duterte and others were from the Bicameral Conference Report, not the finalized General Appropriations Bill (GAB), which was complete and without discrepancies.
Q: What is the significance of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) and the Bicameral Report?
A: The GAB is the official budget bill submitted to the President, while the Bicameral Report is a preliminary draft. Only the GAB, once approved and signed by the President, becomes the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Disclaimer
This article: Palace: Rodrigo Duterte Exposes Fake News on 2025 Budget is based on available public statements and official documents. The information provided is intended for general informational purposes and reflects the views expressed by the involved parties at the time of publication.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to official government communications or seek expert advice.
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