Marcos declares war on corruption

2026 budget faces veto if not aligned with NEP; scrutiny of flood control projects ordered

- By ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

President Marcos has warned Congress that he will reject the proposed 2026 national budget if it deviates from the government's national expenditure program (NEP), even at the risk of operating under a reenacted budget.

Marcos said this following a scathing critique of corruption and inefficiency in public infrastructure, particularly flood control programs that he said had collapsed, failed, or never existed.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered on Monday, July 28, the President warned members of Congress he would not approve any budget that strayed from the administration's priorities.

"For the 2026 national budget, I will return any proposed general appropriations bill that is not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program," Marcos said, earning the applause of the audience. "I am willing to do this even if we end up with a reenacted budget." According to the President, he saw how corruption affected the lives of the public, especially with the consecutive tropical storms and southwest monsoon that ravaged several parts of the country this month.

"It is very clear that many flood control projects were poorly done and collapsed, and others were simply imaginary," he said.

Systemic racketeering. Although a separate investigation into flood control anomalies is underway, Marcos used the moment to denounce systemic racketeering in government projects.

"Let's not pretend. Everyone knows there's racketeering in these projects," he said.

"Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa baha. Mahiya naman kayo lalo sa mga anak natin na magmamana sa mga utang na ginawa ninyo, na binulsa niyo lang ang pera (Shame on you for the homes washed away or flooded. Shame on you, especially for the debt you incurred that our children will inherit-money you only pocketed)," he added.