Manila:Malacañang has assured the public that the proposed PHP7.2 trillion national budget for 2027 will undergo further scrutiny. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is reportedly attentive to budget watchdogs, emphasizing that he will not allow any 'red flags' to pass without proper documentation and clear project descriptions.

According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that President Marcos is committed to ensuring that public funds are protected from misuse and are directed towards the needs of the Filipino people. Castro emphasized that the President will not approve budget amendments lacking sufficient documentation, proper descriptions, and identifiable project outcomes.

Civil society groups and budget watchdogs have recently expressed concerns over alleged insertions in the House of Representatives' version of the 2027 General Appropriations Bill (GAB). The House had approved the PHP7.2 trillion spending measure on its third and final reading on October 12. People's Budget Coalition co-convenor Kenneth Isaiah Abante highlighted that nearly 7,000 infrastructure projects, worth PHP190 billion, were allegedly added by House lawmakers, many of which reportedly lack supporting documents and clear justifications.

Further concerns were raised regarding additional allocations for multipurpose buildings, access roads, bridges, and other public works projects. Castro pointed out that the budget has yet to complete the legislative process, which includes Senate deliberations and the bicameral conference committee, before undergoing review by the President and his economic team.

Castro urged budget watchdogs to provide documents and specific findings on alleged red flags so they could be addressed by the President. She reiterated that President Marcos is attentive to these concerns.