Palace: Marcos eyes untainted 2026 budget

Malacañang has assured the public that President Marcos will not permit any irregular projects in the 2026 national budget, vowing a clean process following the controversies that hounded this year's appropriations.

- ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this amid ongoing investigations into anomalous flood control projects and realignment of funds to the administration's priority programs.

In a press briefing on Monday, Sept. 29, Castro said Marcos has made clear that questionable provisions will be struck down, a remark that the President has been repeating since his State of the Nation Address in July.

"With all these things happening, the people can be assured that the 2026 budget will be in order, and the President will not allow anomalous projects," she said, adding that insertions or suspicious items in the budget would face his veto.

Asked about the criticisms that the 2025 national budget was among the "most corrupt," a phrase earlier used by former senator Franklin Drilon, the Palace official said the public's anger over questionable insertions mirrors the President's own frustration.