In a recent statement, Ilocos Representative and House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos voiced his unwavering support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s approach to the proposed PHP6.352 trillion national budget for 2025. This comes at a time when certain budget items are under scrutiny.
Sandro Marcos, who is also the son of the President, affirmed his support during an impromptu interview, stating, ‘The President is my father. I support him in whatever he says and whatever he hopes to achieve.’ His comments follow the President’s promise to meticulously review the budget, especially those items flagged as ‘worrisome.’
The budget process is still underway, with details from the bicameral conference committee yet to be finalized, according to Sandro Marcos. President Marcos has committed to signing the budget before the holiday season.
A significant point of debate within the budget is the absence of subsidies for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). The President justified this decision by pointing out that PhilHealth has a reserve of PHP500 billion, suggesting that the organization’s challenges are operational rather than financial.
House Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre explained that the funds previously allocated to PhilHealth have been redirected to enhance government hospitals, specialty centers, and medical infrastructure projects, aiming to directly benefit underprivileged patients. Acidre highlighted that these funds would support the completion of the Philippine Cancer Center, the expansion of the National Kidney and Lung Center of the Philippines, and the strengthening of specialty centers and regional hospitals.
Congress has concluded that PhilHealth possesses adequate funds for 2025, despite identifying inefficiencies in its financial management. Zambales Representative Jefferson Khonghun pointed out that PhilHealth has PHP20 billion in unused allocations.