House party leaders recommend return of 2026 proposed budget to DBM

Metro Manila, Philippines - A multipartisan move has recommended to Speaker Martin Romualdez the return of the proposed P6.793-trillion 2026 national budget to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for review in the wake of questionable items.

Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno, National Unity Party (NUP) chairman, made the announcement on Wednesday, Sept. 3, after meeting with other party leaders: Deputy Speaker and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin of Lakas-CMD; Deputy Speaker and Misamis Oriental Rep. Bambi Emano and Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona of the Nacionalista Party; Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano of NUP; Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga and Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez of the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

They cited a number of issues such as the seemingly templated costs of flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways, P8-billion unsolicited proposals for firearms under the Department of Interior and Local Government, “allocation-for-sale” schemes in the farm-to-market roads under the Department of Agriculture, and almost P1 billion for office beautification under the Department of Health.

“We have to practically redo the entire submission to us, and we do not want to be suspected of any untoward action. We don’t want it to appear that we are not accepting the rightful recommendations of the DBM and, on the other hand, we do not want to be accused also of replacing or amending by errata a huge portion of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) that they’ve submitted to us,” Puno said in a press conference.

“We owe it to all of you that this is allocated properly, transparently, free of corruption and we believe that at this point, the National Expenditure Program submitted by the DBM falls short of that standard,” he added.

The party leaders called on their colleagues to halt budget deliberations.

They also assured the public that they are willing to forego their session breaks to scrutinize the budget in detail.

“Sanay naman ‘yung ating mga kongresista na magtrabaho 24/7. I believe with the input of all party leaders, pwede namang i-cancel na ‘yung break ng Kongreso,” Garin said.

[Translation: House members are used to working 24/7. I believe with the input of all party leaders, we can cancel the congressional break.]

“We’re prepared for that,” Enverga said.

The DBM transmitted the 2026 NEP to the House on Aug. 13.

The chamber began scrutinizing the budget on Aug. 18.