MANILA – Acting House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo was mum when asked on Thursday about the supposed "blank" entries in the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed 2025 national budget.

Quimbo did not answer when reporters were asking her questions on the allegations first floated by Davao City 3rd District Rep. Isidro Ungab.

Quimbo's staff insisted that she was in a hurry, and she will answer the queries of media on Monday.

When Quimbo entered her vehicle, she was speaking, but it was unclear what she said.

Ungab, a known ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, alleged last week the bicam report had blanks. He even posted on his social media pages alleged photos showing the blank items.

The former President said the items left blank were akin to handing over a blank check.

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel on Wednesday corroborated the claim of Ungab, saying he saw a total of 12 blank items in the amounts of nine agriculture-related programs, activities and projects.

Manuel also saw two blank entries in unprogrammed appropriations.

The congressman said a copy of the bicam report was sent via electronic mail to all House members on December 11, 2024, at 6:27 p.m.

Manuel said members physically present at the plenary were given printed copies "just several minutes before ratification" on the same day.

He expressed disappointment that the House and Senate supposedly ratified incomplete bicam reports.

Senate President Francis Escudero said it is the signed budget law that's important.

He also maintained that the signed law was complete and had no blanks.

Senator Imee Marcos said she did not sign the report because it had no details.

But she clarified there were no blank items in the law signed by her brother, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Malacañang said there were no blank entries in the enrolled budget bill, the version sent for the signature of the President.