Budget 'urgency' powers could weaken Congress

ROUTINE use of presidential “urgent” certifications in the budget process risks weakening Congress’ institutional power and turning it into a “concurring office” rather than a coequal branch, analysts said, as lawmakers rush to finish the record-high 2026 national budget.

- By Chloe Mari A. Hufana and Adrian H. Halili Reporters

The urgency label, which lets the Senate and House skip the constitutional rule requiring bills to pass readings on separate days, has become a powerful tool for compressing debate, rushing bicameral talks and shielding late insertions from scrutiny, they added.

“If we treat ‘urgent’ certifications as routine for every General Appropriations Act, five to 10 years from now, Congress will look more like a concurring office than a coequal branch,” Ederson DT. Tapia, a political science professor at the University of Makati, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

Congress is finalizing the 2026 spending plan, which President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. wants enacted by Dec. 29. The bicameral conference committee meets from Dec. 11 to 13, with leaders targeting to approve its report by Dec. 16.

The pressure reflects rising concerns about Executive influence over the process, especially after the palace urged lawmakers to speed up deliberations to avoid a reenacted budget.

The annual budget is a key check on presidential power, shaping the flow of public funds and determining which projects move to implementation.

Past practice shows how broad the urgency power has become. Mr. Marcos issued urgent certifications for both the 2024 and 2025 budgets, citing the need for continuous government operations. He has not yet done so for next year’s plan.