President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured on Thursday that the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) contains no blank items, contradicting claims from various sources.

Speaking at the 20th National Convention of Lawyers of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in Cebu City, President Marcos stressed that he had thoroughly reviewed and analyzed the 2025 budget and found no such issues.

“Just last month, I had to read 4,057 pages of the General Appropriations Act of 2025. Because I reviewed it, analyzed, and yes—in parts vetoed it,” he said.

“I really am convinced that they simply do not exist because it is not allowed to exist. So for those of you who think that the Presidency is just handshakes, photo ops, I assure you, that fine print is alive in my office as well.”

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin has repeatedly denied allegations of “blank pages” in the bicameral conference committee report on the 2025 national budget.

Bersamin clarified that the Executive Branch, including President Marcos, had no role in the alleged blank items in the bicameral conference committee report. | PND