Quezon City, Philippines-Former senior government officials and civil society leaders are dismayed over the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed on Dec. 30, 2024, dubbing it a "shameless and unconscionable abuse of public funds."

In a statement released Jan. 6, the International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov) pointed out that despite the administration's "exercise of maximum prudence," lawmakers' pork-barrel insertions remained largely intact in the P6.326 trillion national budget.

"n particular, the budget retained at least P288 billion of pork barrel, consisting of P262 billion additional budget for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and P26 billion for Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP)," the group said.

Meanwhile, essential education, health, and social services have been confronted with significant budget cuts.

INCITEGov also questioned the P26 billion allocation for AKAP, noting that legislated cash assistance programs with clearer targeting policies and conditionalities, such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), already exist. The visibility of politicians during AKAP distribution in malls only intensified concerns about the program's intentions.

"The 2025 GAA represents a shameless and unconscionable abuse of public funds and a betrayal of the Filipino people's trust," the statement read. "This insidious attempt to use the national budget as a political tool violates constitutional principles of checks and balances. If left unchecked, these practices will institutionalize pork barrel and erode democratic institutions, leaving vulnerable Filipinos without necessary resources and perpetuating dependence on political patronage."

The group echoed the demands of various sectors for a complete public audit of the 2024 AKAP funds and called for the release of AKAP and pork barrel funds under the DPWH only after the May 2025 elections.

"The dubious process by which the 2025 GAA was passed underscores the urgent need for constant vigilance, unyielding accountability, and reforms in governance and politics," the statement concluded.

"We call on political leaders to embody true public service and prioritize the common good above personal and political ambitions." ?