Senate to pass 2025 budget before year ends

(UPDATES) SENATE President Francis Escudero on Tuesday said that the Senate aims to pass the 2025 national budget before the end of the year, including the bicameral conference committee report for the President's signature.

Escudero said that since the 2025 budget coincides with an election year, they will ensure it won't be used for candidates' campaigns. Senators will thoroughly review the allocation of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs), he added, noting that budget debates will begin on August 13.

He emphasized that CIFs should be directed only to agencies that genuinely need them.

Senate President Francis Escudero. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

Additionally, agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will clarify their funding requests for flood control projects, especially considering the significant flooding caused by recent typhoons and monsoon rains.

The DPWH recently acknowledged that the flood management master plan for Metro Manila remains incomplete, even though more than a decade has passed since its approval.

House budget deliberations

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The House of Representatives will start deliberations on the proposed P6.352 trillion national budget for 2025 next week.

On Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., through Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, submitted the proposed budget for the National Expenditure Program to House Speaker Martin Romualdez.