Members of an inter-agency coordinating committee conduct a walk through on July 15, 2024, as the House of Representatives prepares for the coming State Of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 22. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The House of Representatives has approved the ₱6.352-trillion national budget for 2025 on its third and final reading on Wednesday night, a day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified the bill as urgent.

A total of 285 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill 10800, also known as "An Act Appropriating Funds for the Operation of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines," while three voted against it. 

In his speech, House Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez expressed his gratitude and congratulated his fellow lawmakers. 

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“You have consistently displayed enthusiasm, fairness, and thorough scrutiny of the budget which led to the prompt approval of the 2025 general appropriations bill on third and final reading... Nagawa natin ang trabaho para busisiin ang 2025 national budget. Natapos natin ito sa takdang oras. Kahit abutin ng umaga, hindi tayo tumigil para masiguro na nagawa natin ang ating tungkulin,” he said. 

"With the eventual enactment of the 2025 budget not far behind, the national government is more than ready to finance and implement its future initiatives and flagship projects," Romualdez added. 

He emphasized the need for government investments in infrastructure, human and social development, environmental protection, technological innovation, and sustainable development. 

Romualdez also praised his colleagues for their contributions to the country’s progress through their legislative initiatives. 

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“I congratulate you all, not only for your tremendous understanding of the country’s development goals and priorities, but most importantly, for translating these goals and priorities to deliver tangible and beneficial changes to our constituents... We remain true to our objective to pursue an agenda for prosperity, and enable every Filipino to directly experience and equitably share in the gains brought by our collective and solid efforts,” he said. 

The Speaker further highlighted the impact of these legislative initiatives on the economy, noting that the country's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.1% in the second quarter, an improvement from the 5.8% growth in the first quarter. 

“This significant development brings our real GDP growth to six percent for the first half of the year, keeping us on track to achieve our target growth rate of 6 to 7 percent for 2024... We are on our way as one of Asia’s best-performing major emerging economies,” Romualdez said. 

He also reminded lawmakers of President Marcos Jr.'s call to improve the lives of ordinary Filipinos. 

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“Mahigpit ang paalala sa atin ng Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr.: Aanhin natin ang magandang numero sa ekonomiya kung gutom pa rin ang mga Pilipino? Aanhin natin ang pag-unlad kung hindi naman ito pakikinabangan ng ordinaryong mamamayan?," he said. 

HOUSE QUAD COMMITTEE 

Romualdez also took pride in the creation of the House Quad Committee, which is investigating issues such as extrajudicial killings, Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators (POGO), and human rights violations during the Duterte administration. 

“This investigation is a crucial step toward the creation of a blueprint for the formulation of legislative solutions to uphold the rule of law... Criminals have no place in our society and we are leaving no stone unturned to preserve the peace and security in our country,” Romualdez said. 

“Inuulit ko: walang puwang ang mga kriminal sa ating lipunan. Hindi natin papayagan na mag-hari ang mga panginoon at alagad ng kadiliman at kasamaan sa ating bansa,” the House speaker added. 

OPPOSITION VOTES 

Among the three lawmakers who voted against the 2025 budget were Kabataan Partylist Representative Raoul Manuel, Gabriela Partylist Representative Arlene Brosas, and ACT Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro. 

Brosas explained her opposition, citing the lack of funding for essential projects aimed at helping the poor. 

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"Nandyan pa rin ang kawalan ng pondo para sa pagpapatayo ng pabahay sa kabila ng lumulobong housing backlogs at lumulobong budget para sa mga imprastruktura na hindi naman tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng mamamayan bagkus mas dumadagdag pa ito sa kasalukuyang problema ng mga apektadong residente," said Brosas. 

"Hindi rin prayoridad ng gobyernong ito ang pagpapaunlad ng lokal na produksyon. Dalawang taon na nakakalipas pero wala pa rin ang pinangakong bente pesos kada kilo ng bigas. Patuloy pa rin ang pag-angkat ng iba’t ibang produkto na siyang inaani naman sa ating bansa,” she said. 

She also criticized the government’s failure to prioritize local agricultural production, pointing out the continued importation of goods that could be sourced domestically. 

"It’s very ironic that Philippines as an agricultural country continues to import to this day. Sa kabila nito, patuloy pa rin ang pangangamkam ng lupa ng ating mga magsasaka," Brosas added. 

Brosas also raised concerns about questionable flood control projects and budget cuts for state universities and colleges. 

“The national budget should cater to the needs of the people. Hindi magiging sagot ang panukalang budget na hindi kumakalinga sa interes ng mamamayan. Hindi ito matutugunan ang lumalalang krisis kung ang batayang pangangailangan ng bawat Pilipino ay kulang. The Filipino people needs sufficient budget for health and basic social services. Kailangan natin ng sapat na budget para sa agrikultura at pagkain. We need sufficient budget to develop our own industries. Yan ang gustong matamasa ng taumbayan," Brosas stressed. 

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Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel also expressed his opposition, arguing that there was no need to rush the approval of the budget. 

"Hindi naman titigil ang paggana ng gobyerno, at hindi titigil ang mundo, kung hindi natin aaprubahan ngayong araw ang House version ng 2025 national budget. Hindi nagmamadali ang Senado sa pagpasa ng kanilang version. Bakit tayo nagmamadali?" Manuel asked. 

He also questioned the budget allocated for the Office of the Vice President, despite its "poor performance”. 

"Pangalawa, Mr. Speaker, NO, dahil hindi sapat na kinaltasan patungong Php 733 million ang proposed budget ng OVP . Mataas pa din po ito given the poor performance ng OVP. The people even want to further slash the OVP budget to its bare minimum. Third, Mr. Speaker, NO, dahil lagi nating naririnig na kulang ang pera para sa edukasyon at SUCs, para sa kalusugang pisikal at pangkaisipan, at para sa pagharap sa mga kalamidad at iba pang epekto ng pagbabago ng klima," Manuel added. 

Manuel pointed out the need for more funding in education, healthcare, disaster response, and climate change efforts. 

Congress will resume its session on November 4, 2024.

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