Veto of alleged ‘pork’ funds could strengthen credibility of Marcos

THE veto of alleged “pork” allocations in the 2026 national budget would allow President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to strengthen the credibility of his administration’s commitment to fighting corruption, analysts said over the weekend, as civil society groups step up calls for the Palace to strike out contentious provisions in the bicameral committee’s report.

- By Chloe Mari A. Hufana

“The veto of the alleged pork allocations or whatever related items in the 2026 budget is in effect an opportunity to strengthen the credibility of this administration in its seriousness to pursue its anti-corruption campaign,” Gary G. Ador Dionisio, dean of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde’s School of Diplomacy and Governance, said via Facebook Messenger.

The veto power exists precisely to prevent questionable practices in the General Appropriations Act and should be viewed as a constitutional accountability measure rather than a manifestation of political hostility or grandstanding, he said.

Allegations of pork barrel insertions, if left unaddressed, risk undermining public trust in the budget process, he noted.