In The Public Square: The 2025 budget — all naughty, nothing nice

Filipinos who are already distracted by the startling revelations of the House of Representatives’ quad committee woke up the other week to a shocking budget approved by the congressional bicameral committee.

It included zero subsidies for PhilHealth, a nearly P12-billion cut in the budget of the Department of Education, the reinsertion of the controversial Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) fund, and much more.

It seems Santa made a list, checked it twice, but it was all naughty, nothing nice. How is the 2025 budget quite possibly the worst in recent history?

In this episode of In The Public Square, Rappler columnist and editorial consultant John Nery is joined by Kenneth Abante, the president of WeSolve Foundation and co-convenor of the Citizens’ Budget Tracker.

Watch the episode on Christmas Day, December 25, at 8 pm. – Rappler.com