Budget chief denies insertions, says Marcos' appropriations already in NEP

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Friday dismissed former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co’s allegations that the executive branch–President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., and herself–orchestrated the insertion of P100 billion worth of projects during the bicam process for the 2025 national budget.

“All appropriations ordered by the President are already in the National Expenditure Program. That is why it is called the President’s Budget. So we reject any insinuations about it,” Pangandaman said.

The NEP is the program of allocations that the executive branch submits to Congress at the start of the budget process, or before the Senate and the House deliberate on the proposed outlays.

The bicam or bicameral conference committee deliberations refer to the discussions between the Senate and House contingents to reconcile their respective versions of the budget bill near the end of the process.

“The bicam is purely under the power of the legislature. We respect and strictly follow the budget process, and all our actions are aboveboard,” Pangandaman said.

Co, in a video released by his camp, alleged that the supposed insertions started when Pangandaman called him, saying that she had just finished a meeting with the President and had instructions to insert P100 billion worth during the bicam.

Presidential Communications Office's Acting Secretary Dave Gomez also said that Co’s accusations against the President were pure hearsay.

“Kung maalala niyo ang proseso ng budget, ginagawa po ng Executive ng anim na buwan ang ating President’s budget [or] National Expenditure Program,” Pangandaman said.

“Ayon sa Konstitusyon, we have 30 days after the State of the Nation Address para i-submit ang National Expenditure Program sa Kongreso," she added.

"At ayon din sa Konstitution, pagkatapos natin ma-submit po ang budget sa Kongreso, magkakaroon tayo ng briefings ‘di po ba. So ginawa rin ‘yan ng executive para ma-eksplika kung paano ginawa ang President’s Budget at ang National Expenditure Program,” Pangandaman said.

“Pagkatapos po nun magdi-deliberate na po sila. Wala na pong role ang Office of the President, ang Executive sa bicam ‘yun lang po maraming salamat po,” she added. –NB, GMA Integrated News