Philippines’ New Budget Criticized as ‘Heartbreaking’ and ‘Moral Failure’

Politics

1 year ago

News sources:

Credited from: SCMP

President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has approved a national budget deemed **"heartbreaking"** by critics, jeopardizing social and health protection for the poor.
Congress slashed **361 billion pesos** (approx. US$6.1 billion) from critical programs, including funding for **PhilHealth**, which provides insurance for the underprivileged.
The budget process included a **veto** of 194 billion pesos in projects, perceived as a superficial reform to address long-term issues.
Critics argue that reallocating funds for politicians' projects highlights a **moral failure**, prioritizing political support over urgent social services.
Protests erupted against the budget, with some anticipating potential **legal challenges** in the Supreme Court due to its contentious nature.

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