President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to sign the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025 on December 30, 2024, following a review of the controversial budget bill.

The President on Monday met with Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, and Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan amid concerns about the spending plan. A printed copy of the national budget was submitted to the Office of the President Friday afternoon.

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The review comes as the proposed P6.352 trillion 2025 national budget was fraught with controversy after the Bicameral Conference Committee approved cuts in the budgets of some agencies including the Department of Education and removed government subsidy for state insurer PhilHealth.

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Marcos earlier said that they are thoroughly assessing the budget to ensure that it is aligned with the priorities of the administration and to place stronger safeguards on spending for the different projects. 

He also noted the need to further clarify some unclear provisions in the budget.

The President also said that his only option now is to veto certain items and provisions of the spending plan. 

He explained that since the budget has already been approved by Congress, returning it to the bicam for revisions is not part of the procedure.

A Palace official earlier said a reenacted national budget for 2025 was not discussed in Malacañang.