Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said the enactment of the 2026 national budget is likely in the first week of January, meaning the government may operate on the current budget for a few days with no new projects.
The passage of the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget was delayed as the bicameral conference committee grappled with coming up with a common version of the appropriations bill in open session, the first in history, over public demand for transparency to prevent a repeat of corruption in flood control projects, among others.
The committee wrapped up its work around 2:20 a.m. on Dec. 18 after five livestreamed meetings.
The last session day was supposed to be on Dec. 17 but was moved to Dec. 22. On Monday, Congress again moved the adjournment of session from Dec. 23 to Dec. 30. This will allow Congress to ratify the 2026 budget on Dec. 29.
Senate finance committee chairperson Win Gatchalian and House appropriations committee chairperson Stella Quimbo expressed hopes that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could sign the budget before year-end, noting that the Department of Budget and Management has been reviewing the budget simultaneously with the conference committee deliberations.
In a chance interview with reporters on Monday, Sotto said signing the budget by Dec. 31 remains possible, but unlikely.
“If they have started reviewing it from now, up to that time, there is a possibility. But I doubt it. I doubt it. Perhaps sometime like the first week of January would be ideal na na-review na nila yun,” Sotto said.
He added that operating under a reenacted budget for a few days would not have much impact.
Sotto also said Congress could have ratified the budget earlier, but he insisted that the enrolled bill be printed to make sure lawmakers know exactly what they are approving.
“This Congress, our leadership, will never allow a blind ratification ever,” Sotto said during the session.
“Whether we like it or not, in the past maraming singit, yung naapprove na sa bicam report, napapalitan pa sa enrollment of bill na ‘di dapat tama yun,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said.
[Translation: There were a lot of insertions in the past. The approved bicameral report has been altered in the enrolled bill for signature by the president. This should stop.]
Gatchalian said printed copies of the bill will be distributed to the committee members for approval on Dec. 28, and for ratification the following day.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro earlier said the Palace is working toward the approval of the budget by yearend, while assuring the public that it will undergo a thorough review.
