President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. remains confident that Congress can still pass the proposed 2026 national budget, Malacañang said Wednesday, despite concerns raised in the Senate.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement following Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s preference for a reenacted budget in early 2026, warning against a potentially “unchecked, corruption-conducive and graft-ridden” General Appropriations Act.
According to Castro, the President does not favor a reenacted budget and believes lawmakers still have sufficient time to carefully review the spending measure.
“The suggestion of Senator Ping Lacson was good but the President doesn’t want a reenacted budget, but what the President really wants is to avoid a reenacted budget,” Castro said during a press conference.
“December is not over yet. It’s only December 17, and the President believes there is still enough time to study this,” she added.
Malacañang reiterated that the administration remains focused on ensuring a well-studied and properly scrutinized national budget before the year ends.