PBBM to review P6.7T nat'l budget over holidays

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.

Congress aims to ratify the spending bill on December 29, a one-week delay from the original target, to accommodate the holidays and ensure it is signed before the current national budget expires.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that the President initially hoped for an earlier submission of the enrolled bill but is committed to studying it carefully to ensure it is clean and benefits the people.

Failure to sign the budget bill by yearend would result in a reenacted budget, potentially funding projects already completed.

While previous confidence was expressed that the President would not veto any part of the budget, Castro clarified that Marcos Jr. will veto provisions that need to be removed to align with the administration's priorities and the people's benefit.