BBM warns vs mangling of 2026 nat'l budget

As far as President Marcos is concerned, having a reenacted budget next year is more tolerable than implementing a spending bill that is inconsistent with his administration's expenditure program.

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In his fourth State of the Nation Address yesterday, Marcos warned against mangling the national budget, saying he would not approve any outlay that is not in line with the government's plans for the nation.

"For the 2026 national budget, I will return any proposed general appropriations bill that is not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program," the President said.

"And further, I am willing to do this even if we end up with a reenacted budget," he added.

The budget for the previous year is automatically reenacted if a fresh appropriations law is not enacted. Officials have said that a reenacted budget delays the implementation of key projects, disrupts job generation and poverty reduction efforts and impedes economic growth.