Manila, Jan. 30 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday maintained that the 2025 national budget does not contain any blank items as the General Appropriations Act (GAA) faces a legal challenge before the Supreme Court.

Speaking at the 20th National Convention of Lawyers in Cebu City, Marcos said that as President, he has scrutinized the 2025 GAA, reviewing over 4,000 pages of it.

"Just last month, I had to read 4,057 pages of the General Appropriations Act for 2025 because I reviewed it, analyzed it, and yes, in parts, vetoed it," Marcos shared.

"I still can't find those 'damned blank items.' We'll keep looking, but I'm convinced they simply do not exist. It's not allowed," he added.

This statement comes after his former exe...