MALACANAN PALACE, Manila — Just five days before President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (PBBM) is expected to sign the General Appropriations Act (GAA), Malacañan has been silent over the tirades of Senator Imelda Josefa Remedios 'Imee' Marcos’ against the proposed 2025 national budget.

The presidential sister has been vocal in her polemical statements against next year's proposed budget, which is under review by the administration because of alleged 'insertions' and other items that are not in line with the President's governmental policies.

The ₱6.352-trillion spending bill approved by Congress has drawn criticism over the alleged bloated funding for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the reduced allocation for the Department of Education (DepEd), which under the Constitution should get the highest budgetary priority.

Even as President Marcos Jr. and his finance team and economic managers are still scrutinizing the proposed budget, the Palace has confirmed that the signing of the GAA into law has been slated for December 30, a schedule likened by the chief executive's eldest sister to “a thief in the night.”

In an earlier statement, the lady senator enthused that the budget for public works should be reduced by at least ₱188 billion to avoid violating the Constitution.

Asked to react to the presidential sister's pronouncement on the budget, presidential communications secretary Cesar Chavez replied that Malacañan has not issued any statement on the matter as of this time.