President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has assured the Filipino people that the proposed PHP 6.793 trillion national budget for 2026 will undergo a rigorous review to ensure it remains “people-centered” and aligned with administration priorities before being signed into law by the end of the year.
In a Palace press briefing held on Friday, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the Executive branch is prepared to work through the holiday season to maintain the budget’s integrity.
Undersecretary Castro noted that while the President initially hoped for an earlier submission of the enrolled bill, the priority now shifts to a meticulous line-by-line inspection.
“The President ensures that the enrolled bill will be scrutinized to guarantee that its provisions are clean, pro-people, and focused on the public’s needs,” Castro stated. She further clarified that the President would not hesitate to exercise his veto power if any provisions fail to meet the administration’s standards of transparency and fiscal responsibility.
“If it means no sleep, then so be it. The President wants to ensure that before he signs, the budget has been thoroughly studied,” Castro added.
The Palace reiterated that this review process is part of a broader commitment to good governance. Undersecretary Castro highlighted the President’s Transparency Portal initiative, which allows the public to monitor government bidding and procurement, as evidence of the administration’s dedication to openness.
The budget is currently moving through the final stages of the legislative process:
| Date | Milestone |
| December 28 | Scheduled approval by the Congressional Bicameral Conference Committee. |
| December 29 | Separate ratification by the House of Representatives and the Senate. |
| Pre-Year End | Submission to Malacañang for Executive review and Presidential signature. |
The Executive branch’s independent review will serve as a final safeguard to ensure the General Appropriations Act (GAA) serves the best interests of the nation as it enters the new fiscal year.
