Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Monday expressed support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s veto of nearly ₱92.5 billion in unprogrammed appropriations, saying the move reinforced Malacañang’s effort to keep the 2026 national budget free of questionable spending.
“I know the 2026 budget is by far the cleanest ever. But it seems the President wants it squeaky clean,” Sotto said in a message.
Marcos signed into law the ₱6.793 trillion budget while striking out several standby spending items, which the Palace said was part of tightening fiscal discipline. The General Appropriations Act originally contained ₱243 billion in unprogrammed appropriations, funds that can only be released under strict legal conditions.
Sotto noted that Marcos also recognized Senate safeguards against political patronage.
“He even highlighted the Senate provision that prevents political patronage by politicians,” he added.
Senator Win Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, had earlier warned that unprogrammed appropriations could function as pork barrel, raising concerns over potential political misuse if left unchecked.