Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero Speaks on National Budget Approvals
CHIZ ESCUDERO – The Senate President was asked about Pres. Bongbong Marcos’ remarks that he will not approve budget that is not in line with the government’s plans.
Last Monday, Pres. Bongbong Marcos delivered his 4th State of the Nation Address or SONA before the 20th Congress and the Filipino people. The President spoke about the accomplishments of the government in its first three (3) years at the event held at the Batasang Pambansa.
During the Marcos SONA 2025, the Chief Executive arrived before 3:30 p.m. at the Batasang Pambansa — one of the presidents who were the earliest to arrive for the annual address. Most of the senators and members of the House of Representatives attended the event.
In his speech, Pres. Bongbong Marcos assured the Filipinos that education remains at the center of the priorities of his administration. According to him, the Filipino people can expect that more classrooms will be built in the remaining three (3) years of his term.
Pres. Marcos also claimed that the government will be helping more people including businessmen. He also expressed that they will be constructing almost 200 electric plants to ensure the boosting of electricity supply in the country.
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez remained in their posts in the 20th Congress, thus, they were the ones seated beside Pres. Bongbong Marcos during the SONA 2025. At the event, Pres. Bongbong Marcos claimed that he will not approve budget proposals that are ‘misaligned’ to the government plans.
Recently, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero was asked about the remarks of Pres. Bongbong Marcos that he will not approve budget proposals that are not in line with the plans of the government. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Senate Chief stressed that the “power of the purse” is still with the Congress.
“While I agree that the administration has the prerogative to pursue its proposed budget, under the Constitution, the power of the purse still belongs to Congress,” Escudero said.
According to Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero, it should not be that all the submissions of the executive department will be automatically approved by the Congress. Based on the report, he stressed that the Congress will appear like a “rubber stamp” in that case.
“On the part of the Senate, we will review the budget, and we will propose amendments that need to be proposed, in accordance with the inputs given to us as well,” the Senate President said.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos has approved the proposed P6.793 trillion budget for 2026.