I will not sign 2026 budget if allocations not aligned with gov’t — Marcos

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday issued a warning to Congress that he will not enact a budget bill that is not aligned with the administration’s programs.

Marcos made the remarks in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 28, as he expressed dismay over the billions of pesos spent for flood control programs only to end up with a number of areas still submerged in the wake of successive storms and nonstop heavy rain.

“Wag na po tayo mag-kunwari, alam naman ng buong madla na nagkakaraket sa mga proyekto,” he said, citing the aftermath of the recent widespread flooding.

[Translation: Let's not pretend, the whole audience knows that projects are rigged.]

READ: SONA 2025: Marcos to keep tabs on flood control projects 

In a bid to address corruption in flood control projects, Marcos vowed to reject a General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2026 that is not in line with the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

“I am willing to do this even if we end up with a reenacted budget,” Marcos said in his speech.

“I will not approve any budget that is not in line with the plans of the government for the Filipino people,” he added.

The president can reject the GAB and the NEP reverts to the previous year until a new budget law is enacted. Under a re-enacted budget, the spending will be limited to maintenance and operating expenditure and personnel services. There will be no new projects since there is no capital outlay.