MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said on Tuesday that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. could ask Congress to reconvene the bicameral conference committee to correct the 2025 national budget and fix issues about education funding.
Why Is There a Problem?
The 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), amounting to ₱6.352 trillion, was recently approved by Congress. However, lawmakers slashed funds for:
- The Department of Education (DepEd) by ₱12 billion.
- The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) by ₱30 billion.
These budget cuts have caused major concerns, especially because education is supposed to receive the highest budget priority under the 1987 Philippine Constitution (Article XIV, Section 5).
Lacson’s Proposal
Lacson explained that if President Marcos chooses not to veto the budget bill, he can still ask Congress to fix it:
“He can appeal to Congress to reconvene the bicameral conference and rectify the budget imbalance between education and infrastructure sectors while the bill is not yet signed.”
This solution would ensure the budget aligns with the Constitution.
What Does the Law Say?
The 1987 Constitution states:
“The State shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education…”
This means education funding should come before other sectors like infrastructure or defense.
President Marcos’ Stance
On Monday, President Marcos said he does not want to veto any part of the budget. Instead, he is looking for other ways to address the reduction in DepEd’s budget, which will affect projects like the computerization program for schools.
Lawmakers’ Suggestions
- Senators Imee Marcos and Migz Zubiri suggested that the President could send back the 2025 budget bill to Congress for revisions.
- Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero offered another option: use unspent funds from previous years to increase DepEd’s budget.
Protests Call for Budget Fix
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, protesters gathered outside the House of Representatives to demand changes to the approved 2025 budget. The groups included:
- Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)
- Gabriela Women’s Party led by Rep. Arlene Brosas
Brosas criticized the budget, saying:
“It’s clear that funds are not going to social services, health, and education—the things our people really need. Congress can and should send this back to the bicameral conference committee.”
The protesters also opposed the increased funding for national defense and infrastructure at the cost of education and health services.
What’s Next?
The President now faces a critical decision:
- Veto parts of the budget and demand changes.
- Ask Congress to reconvene the bicameral committee to correct funding priorities.
- Use unspent funds to address the budget gaps for education.
As the discussions continue, Filipino families, teachers, and students are hoping for a solution that ensures education remains the top priority—as promised by the Constitution.
