MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Monday accused his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte of peddling lies after the former leader said this year's national budget was invalid, in the latest feud between the former allies ahead of upcoming midterm elections.

Malacañang on Monday branded as “lies” the alleged presence of blank items in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), or whose amounts were supposedly meant to be filled out at the behest of President Marcos and his close associates.

Malacañang on Monday denounced the allegations made by former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding the alleged ''discrepancies'' in the 2025 national budget, saying that the allegations made should be dismissed as ''criminal.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday dismissed accusations by former President Rodrigo Duterte that portions of the national budget were left blank and intended to be filled in later.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Monday accused his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte of peddling lies after the former leader said this year's national budget was invalid, in the latest feud between the former allies ahead of upcoming midterm elections.

He’s lying.” This was the response of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on the allegations made by his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, that there were discrepancies in the 2025 national budget.