Marcos freezes P80-billion infra funds, vows charges against ‘ghost’ projects

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has ordered a freeze on P60 billion to P80 billion worth of infrastructure funds in the 2025 national budget, citing inconsistencies with the government’s Philippine Development Plan (PDP).

- By Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro on Wednesday said the funds cover mostly Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects that were inserted during congressional deliberations. She declined to disclose details but said these allocations would not be released until further review.

“According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), most of these are DPWH infrastructure projects, and the majority were inserted by Congress,” she told reporters. “That is all the information provided to us by the DBM.”

The freeze marks one of the biggest budgetary actions under the Marcos administration, signaling a tougher stance against questionable infrastructure spending, particularly amid growing concerns about corruption in flood control and road projects.

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto earlier this week noted that while Congress redirected P375 billion from programmed budget items into “unprogrammed funds,” whose release depends on tax revenues and special laws, the President had opted to veto only P26 billion outright.

He noted that even budget items that appear approved could be blocked if they include duplicate entries or lack alignment with development priorities.

Such “congressional insertions” often draw criticism for undermining coherence with broader economic and infrastructure goals.

Deliberations on the 2026 national budget are continuing in the House of Representatives, with Mr. Marcos expected to sign the spending plan by year-end.