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Marcos to sign budget on Jan. 5, 2026
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to sign the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 on January 5, 2026, necessitating the use of a re-enacted budget for the first five days of the year.
The proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) faced delays in the bicameral conference committee, with significant debate surrounding allocations for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Congress aimed to ratify the 2026 spending plan on December 29, but the budget process occurred amidst a major corruption scandal involving suspected funneling of funds into bogus flood control projects at the DPWH.
Lawmakers livestreamed the bicameral conference committee meetings in an effort to promote transparency, a stage often cited as a point where corruption occurs.
Tensions rose during the livestreamed proceedings when lawmakers reached a deadlock over the DPWH's budget, and House minority members have raised concerns about unprogrammed funds.
Some representatives have called such unprogrammed funds unconstitutional, referencing a Supreme Court opinion.
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President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his staff will work through the Christmas break to thoroughly review the proposed P6.7-trillion national budget for 2026 before signing it into law.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will work through the holidays to review the proposed P6.7-trillion national budget for 2026.
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President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. prefers to avoid a reenacted budget and is confident Congress will pass a "clean" 2026 national budget on time.
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Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III indicated that the P6.793-trillion General Appropriation Bill (GAB) for 2026 might be signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in January, as Congress plans to ratify the bicameral conference committee report on December 29 and adjourn on December 30.
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Lawmakers concluded the first-ever open-door bicameral conference committee meeting for the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 on Thursday, December 18, after four days of intensive deliberations.
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