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Church leaders scorn ‘disturbing’ budget; Palace insists safeguards in place

MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) condemned the national budget, calling it a “scandalous misuse of public funds and resources.”

In a newsletter released on February 1, the CBCP spoke about the difficulty of having hope amid times of frustration and anguish, particularly in different aspects of life: including the political. 

“In the political realm, the scandalous misuse of public funds and resources; the questionable insertions, cuts, and adjustments in the national budget; and the anti-poverty programs that promote a culture of patronage and mendicancy are truly disturbing,” CBCP President and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan said. 

“As the Elections draw near, we see how platforms of popularity, dynasty, and patronage are again exploited, making politics into a family business,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Fr. Tito Caluag, the executive director of Caritas Philippines, urged the public to take a stand against corruption during an online mass. He called on people to be the "light" that overcomes corruption's darkness and to unite in protest and advocacy.

While acknowledging that ayuda (aid) is necessary, he challenged people to go beyond it, emphasizing there is still much more to be done.

“I think it is high time — and this is the source of corruption—it is high time that our national budget must transition from an ayuda-driven budget into working towards programs that really empower people, human development. We can be light, we can be light to our people,” Caluag said. 

The Palace responded with reassurance that there are strict safeguards against possible misuse. 

“There are now stricter conditionalities for budget releases, ensuring alignment with national priorities and protection from partisan interests. Having undergone adjustments permitted by law, the funds will be released transparently and in accordance with good governance principles and laws,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a statement on Monday, February 3.

Bersamin also said that the 2025 national budget saw the largest vetoes made by a president in history. 

“No president before him had ever so deeply and comprehensively purged the

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