P6.7-trillion 2026 budget hurdles House on final reading

Metro Manila, Philippines - The House of Representatives approved the P6.7-trillion proposed national budget on third and final reading on Monday, Oct. 13.

The chamber approved House Bill 4058 or the 2026 General Appropriations Bill with 287 votes, while 12 were against and two abstained.

Those who opposed were:

+ ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima

+ Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendana

+ Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno

+ Akbayan party-list Rep. Dadah Ismula

+ ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio

+ Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co

+ Gabriela Women’s Party party-list Rep. Sarah Elago

+ Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao

+ Albay Rep. Krisel Lagman

+ Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice

+ Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste

+ Sagip party-list Rep. Paolo Henry Marcoleta

PPP party-list Rep. Harold Duterte and Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga abstained.

Among the reasons for the opposition was the unprogrammed appropriations.

The Makabayan bloc – composed of Tinio, Co, and Elago – said most of the P243 billion in unprogrammed appropriations may possibly become President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pork barrel.

“Let us be clear: the President cannot escape command responsibility for this corruption. As President, he is legally required to approve all releases from Unprogrammed Appropriations. Every ghost project, every overpriced contract, every substandard road and flood control structure built with these funds was approved under his watch,” it said.

“The practice of having Unprogrammed Appropriations is tantamount to undue delegation of legislative power to the Executive. Only the legislature has the power to appropriate. In the past, billions have been authorized to be released without adequate congressional scrutiny and sufficient safeguards,” De Lima said.

“Imbes na matuto tayo sa mga [Instead of learning from] ghost project sa nakaraan [of the past], hindi pa rin natutuldukan ang [there is still no end to] corruption,” Diokno said.

The Office of the Vice President’s funding was reduced from P902 million to P733.2 million in response to the absence of Vice President Sara Duterte and her staff in plenary budget debates.

The House reallocated P255 billion from the Department of Public Works and Highways budget to education, health, and agriculture.

Education had the lion’s share with ₱1.28 trillion – the highest-ever for the sector.

Appropriations committee chairperson Mika Suansing noted the transparency in budget deliberations by opening these to civil society organizations and doing away with the small panel that handles amendments behind closed doors.

“This budget cycle is unprecedented and to be able to pass the budget on time despite all the complexities that we needed to navigate over the past two months, we needed to work very, very hard,” Suansing said.

House Speaker Bojie Dy noted the challenges they faced such as the differing views during deliberations. He added that they know the public watched the budget process.

“Tama lang po ito, sapagkat ang pinag-uusapan natin ay ang pera ng bayan at tiwala ng ating mga mamamayan. Tungkulin natin ipakita na ang Kamara ay isang tahanan na may tunay na malasakit at may tapat na paglilingkod,” Dy said.

[Translation: It is just right that they watch because we are talking about the public’s money and the trust of the people. It is our duty to show that the House is a home with concern and honest service.]

The Senate is still conducting hearings on the budget.