MANILA, Philippines – Senators and congressmen are facing backlash for allegedly using the 2025 national budget as a political tool, targeting Vice President Sara Duterte and prioritizing pork barrel allocations over critical sectors like health and education.
The controversy erupted after the bicameral conference slashed PhilHealth’s 2025 budget to zero, redirecting billions to government offices and discretionary funds. This comes despite PhilHealth’s dire need to address issues like inadequate health benefits and mismanagement.
Senate President Chiz Escudero defended the decision, calling it a “wake-up call” for PhilHealth’s inefficiencies. Senator Grace Poe justified the reallocation, citing PhilHealth’s P600 billion in reserves, allegedly sitting idle and losing value to inflation.
Critics, however, argue the move punishes ordinary members who have been contributing for decades. The lack of funding puts millions of indigents relying on PhilHealth at risk, further exacerbating their hardships.
The 2025 budget also saw massive increases in allocations for Congress, public works, and unprogrammed funds:
The House of Representatives received an additional P17.37 billion, more than doubling its original budget.
The Senate’s budget grew by P1.1 billion.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) now has a P1.113-trillion allocation, up by P214 billion.
Critics, including Senator Imee Marcos, claim the budget is designed to “impeach VP Sara Duterte.” Marcos pointed to questionable confidential spending under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), which Duterte heads.
Vice President Duterte, a known rival of key administration allies, has yet to address the allegations of ghost transactions and misuse of billions in confidential funds.
Meanwhile, public outrage continues to grow, with various sectors decrying the budget as the “crookedest in history.” Observers warn of escalating distrust in government institutions as Filipinos grapple with economic hardships and reduced public services.
As investigations loom, many are demanding accountability and transparency in how taxpayer money is spent, fearing chaos in the months ahead.