2026 budget lacks separate funding for Infrastructure Commission

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian confirmed that the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 does not include a separate budget item for the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).

Gatchalian clarified that the ICI's funding will continue to be sourced from the Office of the President (OP), which has sufficient funds for the commission's operations.

He assured that the ICI's work will continue in 2026 as it did in the current year, with the contingent fund potentially being tapped if Congress approves a bill creating a new independent commission.

The ICI, established by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in September, had a P41 million budget for 2025 sourced from the OP's contingency fund.

Outgoing ICI Commissioner Rogelio Singson stated that some ICI staff have been working on a volunteer basis and have yet to receive their salaries for three months.

Singson had previously expressed concerns about the ICI's lack of budget and the absence of laws to strengthen its anti-corruption mandate, emphasizing the need for multiple entities to address issues.

President Marcos Jr. has urged Congress to prioritize the passage of a bill establishing an Independent People's Commission (IPC) and anti-dynasty bills.