Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Marcos

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has criticized the lack of funding in foreign-assisted projects, describing this as an embarrassment and something that stains the Philippines’ reputation.In his latest podcast, Marcos, Jr. said the lack of funding to foreign-assisted projects has been the “biggest problem” so far.“‘Yung foreign-assisted projects, tinanggal halos lahat nung funding. Kailangan natin ibalik ‘yun dahil importante ‘yung mga foreign-assisted projects. At saka sinisira pati ‘yan ang reputation natin,” the President said.And “the worst part of this all,” the Philippine leader said, projects that lawmakers deemed not good enough become unappropriated.He did not, however, specify the projects involved or what countries funded them.“Ano ‘yun, utang ‘yun. Nangungutang tayo para mangurakot itong mga ito,” he said.“Sobra na ‘yun. Sobra na ‘yun,” he lamented.In late May, Marcos, Jr. said the approval of Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans would be “stricter” just as he challenged officials to ensure that government projects would be finished on time.Aside from this, he said projects under ODA loans that were already delayed should be reviewed.The ODA and ODA Loans are given to developing nations through grant aid and/or concession loans with low interest and have a longer term period to help poorer nations.Many infrastructure projects in the Philippines are through ODA loans.Malacañang last year said the country’s active ODA portfolio of loans and grants reached $37.29 billion in 2023, composed of 113 loans worth $35.07 billion and 325 grants worth $2.22 billion.The Philippines also secured 57 ODA grants in the same year, totalling $240.53 million.<div>REENACTED BUDGET</div>All these considered, the President reiterated his promise during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) a week ago that he would rather reenact the budget than sign into law a national budget that is &quot;misaligned&quot; with his administration&#x27;s programs.While the President recognized Congress’ budget power, he said the Executive Department still has to do its job of making sure their plans for the country are realized.He asserted that the Filipinos’ money should not be missing, squandered, or even stolen.“Iyon lang naman ang habol namin,” Marcos Jr. said.“I am willing to reenact the budget if that’s what we’ll have to do,” Marcos Jr. said.Marcos last month approved the proposed P6.793 trillion budget for 2026.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/28/-mahiya-naman-kayo-marcos-order-probe-on-corruption-in-flood-control-projects-1725">&#x27;Mahiya naman kayo&#x27;: Marcos orders probe on possible corruption in flood control projects</a></div>

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has criticized the lack of funding in foreign-assisted projects, describing this as an embarrassment and something that stains the Philippines’ reputation.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has criticized the lack of funding in foreign-assisted projects, describing this as an embarrassment and something that stains the Philippines’ reputation.

‘Sinira ang reputation natin’: Marcos Jr. blasts lack of funding in foreign-assisted projects

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‘Sinira ang reputation natin’: Marcos Jr. blasts lack of funding in foreign-assisted projects

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 04, 2025 07:16 PM PHT

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Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

2026 budget

reenacted budget

ODA

corruption

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