MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Days after it was deferred for review, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is finally scheduled to sign the 2025 budget bill on December 30, at least according to the Chief Executive鈥檚 older sister, Sen. Imee Marcos.
In a text message to reporters, the senator shared an advisory that she received from the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, saying the signing of the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) will take place in Malaca帽ang Palace.
鈥淭he President will hold a ceremonial signing of the fiscal year 2025 GAA at 9:30 a.m. on December 30 in Malaca帽ang Palace,鈥� said the senator, quoting the advisory.
No other details were provided regarding the signing as of this writing.
Before this, Presidential Communications Office chief Cesar Chavez said that there were no discussions on budget reenactment during the President鈥檚 meeting with Cabinet officials.
Chavez said this as he announced that Marcos was conferring with his economic cluster about the national funding for next year.
READ: No budget reenactment talk in Marcos鈥� meeting with cabinet members听
The signing of the 2025 GAA was initially scheduled for December 19 or 20 but was deferred as it was still being assessed by the President.
According to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, certain items and provisions of the national budget bill will be vetoed in the interest of public welfare.
READ: Signing of 2025 GAA deferred for President鈥檚 review 鈥� Bersamin听
Among controversial items in the 2025 budget bill include the Department of Education鈥檚 budget which was decreased by almost P12 billion, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation鈥檚 zero subsidy, and the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program which was funded by the bicameral conference committee with more or less P26 billion.