Analysts flag weak scrutiny, political incentives in PHL budget process

THE Philippines’ budget process remains weakened by shallow scrutiny and entrenched political incentives, analysts said, after a Supreme Court opinion last week said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. gravely abused his power when he rushed the 2024 national budget.

- By Chloe Mari A. Hufana

“There is always a problem when Presidents rush budgets in order to show achievements by yearend: it creates an illusion of efficiency at the expense of scrutiny,” Hansley A. Juliano, political science lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

He noted that during the speakership of Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Congress’ fast approval of budgets was framed as unity and discipline but in practice downplayed concerns about weak fiscal oversight.

Congress is now deliberating on the 2026 spending plan, with the President expected to sign it by Dec. 29. The Senate approved its version on second reading last week. The bicameral conference committee will meet from Dec. 11 to 13 to reconcile the House and Senate versions, with the report expected on Dec. 16.