Escudero suggests using P36 billion in unused DepEd funds to boost 2025 budget

Senate President Francis Escudero stated that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could use over P36 billion in unused funds from the Department of Education (DepEd) to help increase its budget for 2025. This comes after Congress cut P10 billion from DepEd's proposed funding. Escudero noted that the President can allocate savings from the budget to support DepEd's needs. He emphasized that DepEd should be aware of its own budget utilization issues. Senator Imee Marcos, the President's sister, acknowledged the possibility of using unspent funds but questioned whether there are actual savings available. She highlighted ongoing challenges in the education sector.