FORMER Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson has raised concerns over the recently signed 2025 national budget, criticizing its failure to allocate sufficient resources to the education sector.

In a statement, Lacson emphasized that the budget does not meet the constitutional requirement of assigning education the highest budgetary priority as stated in Article XIV, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution.

Lacson pointed out that only P26.065 billion of the P288 billion in congressional insertions made during the bicameral conference were vetoed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

He expressed disappointment, saying that despite the vetoes, significant questionable allocations remained intact, leaving education underfunded.

The former senator criticized the bicameral conference process, highlighting how the additional allocations undermine the budget’s integrity.

He argued that such practices often divert funds away from critical sectors, like education, which are constitutionally mandated to receive priority in the national budget.

Lacson also hinted that Malacañang may be bracing for potential legal challenges to the budget.

“Malacañang may already be preparing for any constitutional challenge that may arise from this – both before the Supreme Court and the court of public opinion,” he said, suggesting that the administration is aware of the potential fallout from its budgetary decisions.

Legal experts and public opinion could play a significant role in scrutinizing the 2025 budget, Lacson suggested.

He noted that failing to prioritize education could prompt a constitutional challenge and ignite broader public debates about the government’s fiscal priorities and transparency.

Lacson, a long-time advocate of budget reforms, reiterated the need for greater scrutiny and accountability in the budget process.

He called on the public and concerned sectors to remain vigilant in ensuring that the government adheres to its constitutional obligations, particularly in sectors vital to national development, like education.