2025 National budget, tatalakayin sa Senado simula sa Miyerkules; pondo para sa... | 24 Oras Weekend

Summary

The Philippine Senate is set to begin plenary debates on the proposed 2025 National Budget, focusing on allocations for the Office of the Vice President and flood control projects. Concerns have been raised about potential funding cuts, particularly for PhilHealth, which reportedly has a significant surplus yet is underutilizing funds. Senate President Escudero emphasizes the priority of budget discussions over investigations, while Vice President Sarah Duterte appears to take a low-key approach regarding her budget's defense. The debates will take place from Monday to Thursday, highlighting the urgency and significance of fiscal planning for the coming year.

Takeaways

• 💰 The Senate will begin debating the proposed 2025 National Budget on Wednesday.
• 🌀 Key areas of focus will include funding for the Office of the Vice President and flood control projects.
• 📉 Senate President Cheez Escudero emphasized that additional funding for PhilHealth may be unnecessary due to unspent funds.
• 🔍 The Senate plans to scrutinize the proposed budget, which totals over 6 trillion pesos.
• ⏰ Budget debates will take place from Monday to Thursday, with a focus on expediting the process.
• 🚫 Escudero mentioned that there will be no investigations during the budget discussions, except for possibly one or two exceptions.
• 🗳️ There are discussions around the postponement of the Bangsamoro elections.
• 🙅‍♀️ Vice President Sarah Duterte did not request confidential funds during the hearings.
• 📊 Duterte appeared unprepared to defend her budget, indicating it may be insufficient.
• 🔄 The Senate's first priority is to tackle the budget before any other matters.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the Senate plenary debate starting Wednesday?

The main topic is the proposed 2025 National budget, which includes discussions on various allocations, particularly for the Office of the Vice President.

What specific budget areas are being scrutinized by the Senate?

The Senate will examine funding for flood control projects and the PhilHealth program, which reportedly has a 500 billion excess fund this year.

What concerns did Senate President Cheez Escudero raise regarding PhilHealth?

Escudero expressed concerns that increasing the budget for PhilHealth is unwise if they are not effectively utilizing their existing funds, suggesting a loss of 20 billion annually due to underutilization.

How does the Senate plan to manage the budget discussions?

The Senate plans to conduct budget debates from Monday to Thursday, prioritizing the budget discussion over other investigations.

What is the stance of Vice President Sara Duterte regarding her budget?

Vice President Duterte has not requested a confidential fund and seems to lack intention to defend her budget aggressively, indicating an understanding of budget limitations.

What potential change did Escudero mention regarding the Vice President's office budget?

Escudero noted that the budget for the Office of the Vice President may be reduced, contingent on decisions by Senator Grace Poe, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee.

What is the significance of the Bangsamoro election postponement mentioned in the debate?

The Bangsamoro election postponement is significant as it is a priority topic for the Senate that may warrant an exception from the usual budget focus.

What can be inferred about the Senate's approach to budget debates this year?

The Senate appears to be adopting a more focused approach to budget discussions, aiming to expedite the process and prioritize fiscal responsibility.

What rationale did Senate President Escudero provide for not conducting investigations during budget discussions?

Escudero stated that there will be no investigations while the budget is being debated to ensure that the discussions can proceed without distractions.

How is the public service aspect highlighted in the discussion of PhilHealth's budget?

The discussion emphasizes that the inability to utilize PhilHealth's budget effectively translates to a lack of services provided to the public, raising concerns about accountability.