Senators Deny Allegations of Blank Items in 2025 National Budget

In a firm rebuttal to claims of ‘blank items’ in the 2025 national budget, Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Joel Villanueva emphasized the thorough scrutiny the budget underwent before its approval. Speaking to reporters, Gatchalian explained that the Senate’s staff, committee heads, and legislators diligently examined all annexes and attachments to ensure the budget’s balance. He stressed that signing the budget’s front page is just one part of the process, with comprehensive reviews conducted by staff and committee chairs to ensure no blanks exist, as these would disrupt the budget’s balance. Gatchalian confidently stated that he and his team found no blank entries, underscoring their focus on maintaining a balanced budget. Villanueva, who also signed the bicameral conference committee report, confirmed that the document was complete and contained no blank sections. He found it hard to believe that a law with blank items could be passed, as it would not tally correctly. These statements from the senators were in response to allegations by former President Rodrigo Duterte and Representative Isidro Ungab of Davao City, who claimed that 13 pages of the budget contained blank appropriations, hinting at a ‘blank check’ scheme. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. refuted these claims, labeling them as ‘lies’ and affirming that the budget was meticulously reviewed with all items clearly defined.