Manila Rep. Calls for Release of Full Variance Report on 2025 National Budget

Strategic Insights -

House Committee on Public Order and Safety Chair Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano is seeking the immediate release of the full variance report comparing the House version of the 2025 national budget to the enacted version, which he believes will debunk allegations of questionable insertions made by the chamber. Valeriano pointed out that the 2025 General Appropriations Bill passed by the House allocated the largest funding to the Department of Education and provided a budget for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). However, when the bill went through the Senate and bicameral conference, the final version, or the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), was significantly different. The GAA was heavily criticized for lack of prioritization for education, zero government subsidy for PhilHealth's National Health Insurance Program, and the sudden inclusion of P26 billion for the Congress-patronized social welfare program AKAP.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House version of the 2025 national budget allocated the largest funding to the Department of Education and provided a budget for PhilHealth.
  • The final version of the budget, or the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), was significantly different from the House version, with lack of prioritization for education, zero government subsidy for PhilHealth's National Health Insurance Program, and the inclusion of P26 billion for AKAP.
  • Rep. Rolando Valeriano is seeking the release of the full variance report to disprove allegations of questionable insertions made by the chamber.
  • Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman confirmed that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) had copies of both the GAB and the enrolled GAA.
  • The DBM committed to submit the control bill, the final version of the budget, and the list of For Later Release (FLR) projects, which would help identify items not included in the original National Expenditure Program (NEP).
  • Rep. Ronaldo Puno claimed that the removal of PhilHealth's subsidy did not happen within the House of Representatives' realm.

Statistics:

  • P26 billion: The amount included in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the Congress-patronized social welfare program AKAP.
  • 2025: The year in which the national budget was enacted.
  • Peso (₱): The currency mentioned as part of the budget allocation.

Sources:

  • Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano
  • Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
  • Senate of the Philippines
  • Antipolo 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno