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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Timely passage of 2026 budget still possible despite Cabinet shakeup, Palace says

Timely passage of 2026 budget still possible despite Cabinet shakeup, Palace says

Published Nov 18, 2025 05:03 pm
Palace Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (RTVM)
Palace Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (RTVM)
Despite the recent movement in the Cabinet, Malacañang made an assurance that the national budget for next year will be passed on time.
Palace Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro gave an assurance that changes of leadership in the Department of Finance (DOF) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) would not disrupt the budget process.
“We were able to talk to Secretary Go and according to him, (on the) reassignments of the Cabinet members to DOF and DBM, they are all the same people who worked on the budget, who worked on the finances. So there will be no problem with that,” Castro said  in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
“Yes, there will be (the timely passage of the national budget). They are working on that,” Castro added.
On Monday, the Palace announced the resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman from their respective posts after their offices were linked to the flood control anomalies.
This resulted to the movement of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, who was appointed to replace Bersamin, and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go who was designated to assume Recto’s post.
Budget Undersecretary Rolando Toledo was also designated to be the officer-in-charge of the DBM.
The House of Representatives approved the P6.793 trillion spending plan last October 13, while the Senate is conducting last-stage plenary debates for the proposed 2026 national budget.
The Senate and the House of Representatives would reconcile their respective budget versions through the bicameral conference committee and submit the final version to Malacañang for approval.

Economy remains on solid foundation

The Philippine economy remains stable and open to investors amid the anti-corruption efforts initiated by Marcos, Castro said.
“Sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., nanatiling matatag ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas na may matibay na pundasyon at bukas na pagkakataon para sa mga mamumuhunan (Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the economy remains on solid foundation and it remains open to investors),” Castro said during a press briefing in Malacañang.
The Palace official further said that the President will not be swayed from exacting accountability from all those involved in corrupt practices.
“Hindi matitinag si Pangulong Marcos sa pag-usig sa sinumang nasa likod ng mga tiwaling gawain – kamag-anak man, kaalyado, o kahit na ang sariling kadugo (President Marcos will not hesitate to pursue anyone behind corrupt activities—whether they are relatives, allies, or even his own blood),” Castro stressed.
“Naninindigan ang pamahalaan na ang lahat ng ito ay tinutugunan sa pamamagitan ng konkreto at mabilis na aksyon- alinsunod sa kautusan ni Pangulong Marcos (The government stands firm that all of these issues are being addressed through concrete and swift action, in accordance with the directive of President Marcos)," the Palace Palace Press Officer said.
Castro said the administration has a comprehensive catch-up plan based on national priorities, to accelerate economic growth.

Related Tags

President Marcos national budget 2026 national budget Claire Castro
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