President Marcos Calls for Thorough Budget Review
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the need for the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 to be “cleaned out properly” amid reports of unauthorized insertions. This call to action highlights concerns over the integrity of the upcoming budget, which officials say contains questionable allocations.
“The more we look, the more we find. Kahit sa 2026 budget, marami pa ring siningit,” the President remarked during an impromptu interview in Pasay City, underscoring the urgency to scrutinize the budget closely. “So, talagang, it’s a—it really needs to be cleaned out properly,” he added, signaling a strong stance against irregularities.
Budget Insertions Spark Official Scrutiny
While President Marcos did not specify which insertions he was referring to, government sources clarified that the issue involves alleged allocations for projects that have already been completed. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman referenced Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno’s recent claims, stating many items in the 2026 National Expenditure Program appear redundant.
“We feel the same way. Maybe you’ve seen Congressman Ronnie Puno’s interview. If he’s annoyed, we’re even more annoyed with what’s happening,” the Budget Secretary said in Filipino, expressing shared frustration among officials tasked with overseeing the budget.
Steps to Address Anomalous Budget Items
Secretary Pangandaman confirmed she has already coordinated with newly appointed Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to review flood-control projects flagged for anomalies. “So we will do our best to check and, moving forward, ensure that this doesn’t happen again because we’re wasting everyone’s time,” she explained.
Palace Urges Patience and Cooperation
Meanwhile, a Palace spokesperson urged the public to avoid rushing to judgment. Officials explained that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) must first verify claims about projects marked as completed yet still receiving budget allocations.
“First of all, let’s not be too quick to judge, right? Because they first need to cooperate/coordinate with the DPWH and whichever agency they’re referring to that claims the project is already done, yet the budget is still there,” the spokesperson said.
She further emphasized that if projects were indeed finished and still included in the 2026 budget, President Marcos would not tolerate these insertions. “The President is already angry and does not want anything extra inserted into the budget because this budget is for the people and for projects for the nation,” she added.
Ensuring Transparency in the 2026 Budget
The President’s insistence on cleaning out the 2026 budget properly reflects a commitment to transparency and accountability. Government agencies have been urged to work together and conduct thorough reviews to avoid misallocations and ensure that funds serve their intended purpose.
This ongoing scrutiny aims to protect public resources and maintain trust in the budgeting process as the nation prepares for the next fiscal year.
For more news and updates on the 2026 national budget, visit Filipinokami.com.
