MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to approve the proposed 2026 national budget in early January, according to Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto.
Recto made the clarification in a message to reporters amid speculation that the Chief Executive might not be able to sign the spending measure before the year ends.
The proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which amounts to P6.793 trillion, outlines funding for major government programs, infrastructure development, and social services for the next fiscal year.
Concerns over the signing timeline surfaced after Congress revised its schedule to allow the bicameral conference committee to ratify the budget report on Dec. 29, just one day before lawmakers adjourn session on Dec. 30.
The compressed timetable prompted questions on whether Malacañang would have sufficient time to thoroughly examine the measure.
Malacañang has maintained that the President prioritizes a detailed and careful review of the budget to ensure that allocations are consistent with the administration’s development agenda and that public funds are properly spent.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio said that the proposed national budget for 2026 should be signed before the end of the year to avoid a reenacted budget.
“Dili pwede uy. Dapat before December 31, pirmahan ang budget, otherwise mag-reenact ‘yan kung hindi pirmado by December 31,” she said. “Reenact meaning, ang 2025 budget will continue to take effect, will carry on. So, dapat pirmahan siya before December 31.”
Earlier, Palace officials said the President had already directed his economic and legal teams to immediately begin reviewing the budget once it is formally transmitted to his office.
The administration has repeatedly underscored the importance of avoiding a reenacted budget, warning that delays in approving the 2026 GAA could hamper the rollout of government programs and projects at the start of the year./PN
