Marcos set to sign 2024 budget – Zubiri

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos is set to sign on Tuesday the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said.

Zubiri yesterday said the executive branch already sent an invitation for the President’s ceremonial signing of the 2024 national budget that would strengthen local production through modernization, mechanization and improved logistics, defend sovereignty and ensure Filipinos’ safety against anyone who threatens violence.

“Good news, an invitation has been sent for Tuesday next week,” Zubiri said in Filipino in an interview with dzBB.

“I am very proud that 2023 is a banner year for the Senate. A multitude of quality measures has been passed. Despite perceptions of the Senate being slow, our work continues without interruption; there is no malfunction,” he added.

Zubiri said the Senate fulfilled its commitment to fortify the Philippines’ defense against China’s assertive actions in the disputed West Philippine Sea (WPS), with P11.28 billion allocated for the Department of National Defense (DND), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“The Senate proudly declares that we have been the most vocal defenders of our sovereignty, standing in the plenary and vehemently urging China to leave the WPS,” he emphasized. “Our commitment to augment the budget of the DND and AFP has been honored. Our promise was not broken.

“This is a promise we have kept. The Senate took the initiative to allocate an additional P8.48 billion, including funds for defense equipment for the AFP and DND, and P2.8 billion for the PCG to acquire three substantial ships, countering the aggression from the north,” Zubiri said.

The Senate president was referring to incidents where large Chinese vessels used water cannons against smaller and more vulnerable Philippine ships.

Zubiri highlighted that the 2024 national budget is considered a progressive budget aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos.

“This is the most commendable budget passed by Congress, featuring additional funds for those in need, state universities nationwide, and basic and senior education. It also allocates P2.4 billion for indigent patients under the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and DOH (Department of Health),” he added.

Zubiri admitted that he has no knowledge yet whether the President will veto items in the 2024 national budget. “You’ll never know because this week is the review of Malacañang. They are reviewing the national budget and we will know by next week, but so far I have not received any news that there is a vetoed line item…

“I’m sure there is something there because every year our President has a line item veto, but I am hoping that what we pushed to the DND and PCG will not be vetoed,” he said.

In the Senate’s commitment to transparency, Zubiri also noted the cutting off of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) from civilian agencies in the government, including that of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte.

“Well, the call of the people is transparency… People always say there needs to be transparency, the people need to see where the money goes and, of course, there needs to be COA (Commission on Audit) reports. That’s why Sen. Sonny Angara and the two legislative branches tried to remove this CIF because many civilian agencies are asking for CIFs,” he said.