The Senate has approved the proposed ₱6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 on second reading, following a series of last-minute amendments raised by senators and Cabinet officials.
The chamber voted on the measure on December 4, a day later than scheduled.
Senator Win Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, confirmed that all senators submitted amendments, while some Cabinet secretaries made urgent appeals.
“May mga agency na they feel very strongly so mga secretaries tumatawag tapos may mga nagpapadala ng mga last-minute letters,” he said, adding that the full list of changes will be uploaded online by December 6.
Members of the minority bloc continued questioning several adjustments. Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva cast votes against second reading approval.
Cayetano said he acknowledged it was a “good budget” compared to previous years but flagged issues with unprogrammed funds and the absence of strong rural development initiatives.
“I’m just saying I think we can come up with something that really changes the game for the Filipino people,” he noted.
The Senate targets passage on third reading by December 9, ahead of bicameral talks to reconcile the Senate and House versions.
Senate President Tito Sotto assured the public that Congress will approve the 2026 budget before year-end to avoid reintroducing a reenacted budget.
“We are confident that we will be able to finish it,” he said. “Para hindi magkaroon ng reenacted budget na hinding hindi namin papayagan sapagkat pinakamahirap — sabi nga nila the most corrupt budget yung 2025 tapos reenacted?”