Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero emphasized on Tuesday, July 29, Congress’ constitutional role in shaping the national budget, and stressed that proposed allocations should not be treated as final simply because they originate from the executive branch.

Escudero’s remarks came in response to President Marcos' firm warning during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) that he will return any version of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) that was not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“Hindi ko aaprubahan ang kahit anong budget na hindi alinsunod sa plano ng gobyerno para sa sambayanang Pilipino (I will not approve any budget that is not aligned with the government’s plan for the Filipino people),” Marcos said, even stating he was willing to risk a reenacted budget if Congress deviates from the Executive’s proposed priorities.

But Escudero warned against treating the Executive’s proposed budget as untouchable.

“Hindi naman porket binalangkas ng Executive lahat ‘yon ay tama na. Hindi rin ibig sabihin na hindi na ito pwedeng baguhin, na tila nakaukit na sa bato,” he said in a press conference.

(Just because the Executive drafted all of that doesn’t automatically make it right. It also doesn’t mean it can’t be changed, as if it’s carved in stone.)

“Ang marapat na dapat baguhin, dapat baguhin (What must be changed, should be changed),” he added

Escudero pointed out that Cabinet secretaries themselves often request adjustments or supplemental funding from Congress once the NEP has been submitted.

He noted that such a directive from the President should also apply to his Cabinet.

"Dapat pagsabihan din niya yung kaniyang mga kalihim na kapag ka may isinumite ng budget ang DBM para sa kanilang departamento, huwag na silang humirit pa dahil bago sila makahirit ang pagukunan ay ibang departamento rin (He should also instruct his Cabinet secretaries that once the DBM has submitted the proposed budget for their department, they should no longer ask for additional funds—because any increase they request would have to be taken from another department's allocation)," he added.

The Senate leader emphasized the importance of transparency and collaboration, and stated that the budget process is designed to be deliberative and responsive to evolving needs, rather than being dictated by a single branch of government.

"May lohika din naman at basehan yung kasabihang two heads, three heads are better than one (There is logic and merit to the saying that two heads, or even three, are better than one)," Escudero said.

"Ang importante ay transparent, ang importante ay nakikita ng ating mga kababayan kung saan at bakit nga ba ginagawa ang mga partikular na bagay (What’s important is transparency, that our people can see where the funds are going and why certain things are being done)," he added.