DBM distances from P142.7-B 'insertions' in 2025 budget

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Monday clarified that it was not involved in the alleged P142.7 billion in insertions in the 2025 national budget, saying such amendments fall solely within the power of Congress.

- By KEISHA TA-ASAN

Budget Undersecretary Goddes Hope Libiran emphasized that the DBM's role is limited to preparing the President's budget or the National Expenditure Program (NEP), which is turned over to Congress for scrutiny and amendment.

"Once we turn it over to Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate) they have the authority to deliberate, amend and adjust allocations, as they are the ones mandated by the Constitution to do that. They hold the power of the purse," Libiran told The STAR.

Former Senate president Vicente Sotto III has called for a probe into the alleged P142.7-billion insertions in the 2025 budget.

News reports said the insertions, mostly infrastructure allocations, were introduced during the bicameral conference deliberations in late 2024.

The insertions appeared to favor specific areas such as Bulacan, Sorsogon, Mindoro, Batangas, Davao, Quezon, Cavite, Valenzuela City and Cebu.

Libiran said the DBM is not part of the bicameral conference committee and therefore has no role in any changes made during that stage of the budget process.

"Any questions about the alleged insertions or adjustments, we cannot answer because we were not involved in that process," she said.

"Again, let me reiterate, Congress holds the power of the purse. The best agency to ask about the alleged insertions is Congress itself, because they have the power to make those changes. Not the DBM."