Malacañang is conducting a meticulous review of the 2026 national budget, with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto confirming that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his economic team are carefully examining the ratified General Appropriations Act (GAA) to ensure integrity and accountability.
In a statement released Tuesday, Recto said the Executive Branch received the ratified GAA on December 29 and immediately began scrutinizing it, focusing on modifications introduced after Congress deliberated on the President’s proposed National Expenditure Program (NEP).
“The President and his team are scrutinizing all allocations and provisions to fully account for any changes from the originally submitted National Expenditure Program (NEP),” Recto said.
The review comes amid heightened public attention on government spending, particularly following past allegations of questionable budget insertions. Recto emphasized that the process prioritizes substance over speed.
“We will ensure that the 2026 GAA will satisfy not only the legal and technical requirements but, more importantly, the needs of the Filipino people,” he said, adding that the review is expected to take about a week.
Recto also addressed concerns about potential delays in budget enactment, assuring the public that a short period under a reenacted budget would not hamper government operations.
“The public is assured that a brief period under a reenacted budget will not disrupt government operations,” he said.
According to Recto, the careful review aims to uphold fiscal discipline and guarantee that public funds are spent responsibly and deliver tangible benefits.
He previously noted that the President may sign the 2026 spending plan within the first week of January.