President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to approve the proposed 2026 national budget after the turn of the year, with Malacañang confirming that the signing will not take place before December ends.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto told GMA News Online on Wednesday that the President will act on the General Appropriations Act for 2026 during the first week of January. The measure details a proposed ₱6.793-trillion spending program for the coming fiscal year.
“Yes, 1st week of January,” Recto said in a text message.
The timing prompted earlier discussions in the Senate about the possibility of beginning 2026 under a reenacted budget. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said such a scenario would not pose immediate concerns, noting that a short reenactment period would be manageable.
“Wala. A few days or a week or so, walang problema ‘yun,” Sotto said.
(There’s none. There’s no problem if the budget is reenacted for a few days or a week or so.)
Work on the proposed spending plan moved forward last week as the bicameral conference committee concluded its deliberations, ending four days of negotiations between the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Both chambers have since realigned their legislative schedules to allow for the ratification of the bicameral conference committee report once Congress resumes session on December 29.
