Pangandaman: DBM not involved in ‘insertions’

Pangandaman said the DBM “does not have the authority to introduce insertions into the national budget.”

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and the General Appropriations Act (GAA), known as the approved national budget.

“Referred to as Congress-introduced changes and adjustments (CICAs), such insertions occur not during NEP preparation, but during the bicameral conference committee deliberations between the two houses of Congress,” she explained.

Under the Constitution, Congress retains the “power of the purse,” she said, adding that the DBM’s role is limited to “explaining, clarifying, and defending the proposed allocations” once the NEP has been submitted to Congress.

“The authority to introduce, realign, or amend items rests solely with the legislative branch,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III described the P6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2026, which was overwhelmingly approved on third and final reading Monday, Oct. 13, as the first step to a transparent budget.

“Our budget may not be perfect, but it is clearly the beginning of a new chapter in our service—the first step toward a true People’s Budget: Open and Honest to the Nation,” Dy said.

He described the 2026 spending plan as a product of efforts to make the budget process more transparent. “A budget crafted in the light, not in the dark; one given ample time and guided by heart and mind—not by personal interest.”