Windows26: Weekend Roundup: 2025 budget review, ‘Green Bones’ bags major MMFF awards, and more

Hello, reader!

Four days before we turn the page to a new year! This week, we covered President Marcos' 2025 budget review amid massive criticism, 'Green Bones' winning big at MMFF 2024, and controversies involving Denise Julia and BJ Pascual.

This is your Weekend Roundup, your weekly fix for everything you need to catch up.

2025 NATIONAL BUDGET

'Thoroughly reviewing'

Amid widespread criticism of Congress' final version of the 2025 budget, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his Cabinet are "thoroughly reviewing" it to ensure that it conforms to the 1987 Constitution, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said.

Marcos will sign the P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025 into law on Dec. 30 after his scheduled events for Rizal Day — avoiding the likelihood of a reenacted budget for the first few months of 2025, Malacañang announced.

It can be recalled that there were no discussions on budget reenactment during his meeting with cabinet officials, according to the Presidential Communications Office. Sen. Imee Marcos previously said she would be more in favor of reenacting the 2024 national fund.

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri is hoping that the contentious provisions in the 2025 budget bill will be addressed before it gets signed. The signing was initially scheduled for December 19 or 20 but was deferred since the measure was still being assessed by President Marcos.

INQFOCUS

Farmers' woes

The government expressed confidence that extending the life of the Rice Competitiveness Awareness Fund (RCEF) to 2031 would open access to resources for farmers. But is this enough? Kurt dela Peña's special report explains why farmers' woes may persist despite the extended aid.

ON MY RADAR

Must-reads

Marcos, VP Duterte ratings down as poll reflects inflation woes
DSWD chief defends AKAP: 'It is not a pork barrel'
PH to acquire US Typhon mid-range missile system – AFP
Ex-OpenAI engineer and whistleblower found dead at age 26
Denise Julia mulls defamation suit vs BJ Pascual
BJ Pascual says Denise Julia's screenshots 'do not reflect full context'
Blake Lively accuses director and co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment
'Green Bones,' 'Isang Himala' win big at MMFF 2024 Gabi ng Parangal
MMFF 2024: Change in viewer behavior, word of mouth come into play
Column of the Week: New year, new banknotes

YEAREND SPECIAL

2024 key stories

Sovereignty, accountability, and hope: Key Philippine stories of 2024
- By Inquirer Editorial Team

Unraveling Duterte's drug war
- By Faith Argosino

'Surprise of 2024': Escoda Shoal in West PH Sea is new flashpoint
- By John Eric Mendoza

Leila de Lima case: 2024 brings justice, freedom
- By Tetch Torres-Tupas

Apollo Quiboloy, the disappointed 'son of God'
- By Charie Abarca

2024, the year of reckoning for Pogos, IGLs
- By Luisa Cabato

2025 elections: What's old, new
- By Dianne Sampang

Business as usual: Top 10 most read business stories in 2024
- By Zacarian Sarao

Yearend 2024: Carlos Yulo and a golden year for Philippine sports
- By Lance Agcaoili

Yearend Special: Top trending showbiz stories of 2024
- By Anne Pasajol

Yearend Special: Philippine showbiz's messiest moments in 2024
- By Jessica Ann Evangelista

Yearend Special: 2024 is K-pop's messiest year yet
- By Hannah Mallorca

Yearend 2024: Top 12 nakakalokang pasabog na chika ng BANDERA
- By Ervin Santiago

Thanks for reading our final Weekend Roundup for 2024, reader. See you in 2025! For suggestions and feedback, please reach out to me at newsletter@inquirer.net.

Regards,

Samuel Yap

Digital Content Distribution

December 28, 2024

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