The Marcos family theft continues

Statement on the corrupt National Expenditure Program

Marcos’ disrespect for the Filipino people continues in the corruption riddled National Expenditure Program (NEP) that was approved in December. Not only is the NEP thoroughly anti-people, adding billions more to the nation’s debt, it is also a honeypot of unrestricted funds for Marcos.

At the final hour, Marcos’ regime increased the unprogrammed funds from PHP 281.9 billion to PHP 731.4 billion after it had been reviewed by both the House and Senate. Their defense for this substantial increase in unprogrammed funds would be laughable if it weren’t so dangerous, saying that it is an “important tool for the government to address unforeseen expenditures and prioritize essential programs and projects.” Even if that were the case, that provision should have been made before it was proposed to Congress.

Along with these unprogrammed funds, an additional PHP13 billion was added to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) budget that could be used for the possible national plebiscite on charter change. With the renewed push to rewrite the Constitution by Marcos and his ilk, this last minute increase is suspicious, especially knowing that public funds could’ve been the source for the “EDSA-pwera” ad released earlier in January.

The corruption in the NEP is appalling: from Marcos’ Confidential and Intelligence Funds amounting to PHP 4.5 billion, the formation of the Maharlika Investment Corporation, the bloated infrastructure budget, to other anti-people schemes like the Jeepney Modernization Program. It is clear that the NEP and overall economic plans of the current administration aims to first and foremost line the pockets of Marcos’ cronies, from the top down. Just like his father.

Malaya Movement USA calls on our members and the Filipino people to continue to expose Marcos’ corruption. Fight for pro-people policies and a budget that prioritizes the needs of Filipinos in the homeland and overseas.

Join the Tuloy ang Laban Coalition: tinyurl.com/jointuloyanglaban