Manila, Aug. 13 -- Malacanang on Thursday hit back at critics of the proposed PHP7.2-trillion 2027 national budget, telling lawmakers to study the spending plan first before declaring it either "all ayuda" (cash aid) or "anti-poor."

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the remark as she responded to separate criticisms from lawmakers who offered contrasting assessments of the proposed budget.

Castro pointed to the remarks of Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, who reportedly described the government spending as focused too much on aid and lacking infrastructure, and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, who criticized the proposed 2027 budget as anti-poor for allegedly reducing social services while increasing allocations for infrastru...