House gets P17.2B 2026 budget, down from P34B

The House of Representatives received a proposed P17.2 billion budget for 2026, which is a significant reduction from its current year's budget of P34 billion.

Under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the allocation includes P6.46 billion for personnel services and P10.74 billion for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).

Speaker Martin Romualdez, cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., emphasized that government expenditures should benefit Filipinos and outlined five reforms to ensure transparency in budget scrutiny.

The House plans to open the Bicameral Conference Committee on the budget to the public, civil society, people's organizations, and the private sector, aiming for full transparency and public involvement.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged Congress to swiftly enact the proposed 2026 national budget.