MANILA – In a sharp rebuttal too recent allegations, malacañang has dismissed claims of irregularities in the 2025 national budget as “fake news.” The accusations, linked to a former president, have been labeled as unfounded and harmful to public trust.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin issued a strong statement refuting the allegations that President Ferdinand R.Marcos Jr. approved the budget with intentionally blank sections. These claims, suggesting a potential “blank check” scheme for future allocations, were met with firm denial. Bersamin stated, “The peddling of such fake news is outrightly malicious and shoudl be condemned as criminal. No page of the 2025 National Budget was left unturned before the president signed it into law.”
The 2025 budget, a comprehensive document totaling 4,057 pages across two volumes, underwent rigorous scrutiny by Congress and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Bersamin emphasized that this process involved detailed, line-by-line reviews to ensure accuracy and transparency. “This meticulous pre-enactment check was carried out by dedicated civil servants to eliminate any discrepancies in the allocated amounts,” he added.
While Bersamin did not name the former president directly, recent claims by former President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab have surfaced in a podcast video. They alleged that at least 13 pages of the budget contained blank appropriations. Bersamin firmly countered these claims, stating, “It is impractical for any part of the budget to be left blank.”
To address public concerns, Bersamin encouraged citizens to review the budget themselves, which is accessible on the DBM website. “The true facts and the printed figures appearing in the GAA [General Appropriations Act] easily debunk the malicious claims of deliberate blanks being left for filling in,” he said.
Bersamin concluded with a direct appeal to the former president’s camp, urging them to act responsibly. “The former president and his cohorts should know better that the GAA should not contain blank items,” he said, calling for an end to the spread of misinformation.
Can clarity measures, aside from publicly available documents, such as citizen audits or participatory budgeting, further enhance public trust and accountability regarding national budget allocation?
Table of Contents
- 1. Can clarity measures, aside from publicly available documents, such as citizen audits or participatory budgeting, further enhance public trust and accountability regarding national budget allocation?
- 2. Exclusive Interview with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin: Addressing Claims on the 2025 National Budget
- 3. Introduction
- 4. Interview
- 5. On the Allegations of Irregularities
- 6. On the Budget Review Process
- 7. On Public Access to the budget
- 8. on the Role of Former Officials
- 9. Thought-Provoking Question
- 10. Conclusion
Exclusive Interview with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin: Addressing Claims on the 2025 National Budget
Introduction
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin sits down with archyde to address recent allegations regarding the 2025 National Budget. In this exclusive interview, Bersamin provides insights into the budget approval process, refutes claims of irregularities, and emphasizes the importance of transparency in governance.
Interview
On the Allegations of Irregularities
Archyde: Secretary Bersamin, recent claims have surfaced alleging that the 2025 National Budget contains blank sections. How do you respond to these accusations?
bersamin: These claims are not only unfounded but also malicious. The 2025 national Budget underwent a rigorous, line-by-line review by Congress and the Department of Budget and Management before President marcos signed it into law. To suggest that there are blank sections is to undermine the hard work of dedicated civil servants who ensured every detail was scrutinized.
On the Budget Review Process
Archyde: Can you elaborate on the process that the budget underwent to ensure its accuracy and transparency?
Bersamin: Absolutely. The budget is a comprehensive document totaling 4,057 pages across two volumes. It went thru multiple layers of review, including detailed checks by the DBM and Congress. This meticulous pre-enactment process was designed to eliminate any discrepancies and ensure that every peso allocated is accounted for.
On Public Access to the budget
Archyde: You’ve encouraged the public to review the budget themselves. Why is this vital, and how can citizens access it?
Bersamin: Transparency is key to building public trust. The General appropriations Act (GAA) is available on the DBM website for all to see. By reviewing the document, citizens can see for themselves that there are no blank sections. This openness is crucial in debunking false claims and ensuring accountability.
on the Role of Former Officials
Archyde: Some former officials,including a past president,have been vocal about these allegations. What is your message to them?
Bersamin: I urge them to act responsibly. The GAA is a critical document that should not be politicized. Spreading misinformation harms public trust and undermines the integrity of our institutions. Those who have served in government should understand the importance of upholding the truth.
Thought-Provoking Question
Archyde: In an era of widespread misinformation, how do you think citizens can best discern fact from fiction, especially when it comes to government documents?
Bersamin: That’s an important question. Citizens must be proactive in seeking out credible sources of information. Official government websites, like the DBM’s, provide accurate and up-to-date documents. Critical thinking and fact-checking are essential in today’s digital age. I encourage everyone to engage in informed discussions and hold their leaders accountable based on verified information.
Conclusion
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin reaffirms the integrity of the 2025 National Budget and calls for an end to the spread of misinformation. By encouraging public scrutiny and upholding transparency, Bersamin highlights the importance of trust in governance.
