Palace: 2026 national budget to be submitted for Marcos' approval before Christmas
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
President Marcos will not certify as urgent the proposed national budget for next year as it is expected to be submitted for approval before Christmas, Malacañang said.
"Hindi ngayon (Not now)," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Wednesday, Dec. 10, when asked if the President will once again certify the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for next year's budget as urgent.
"Dahil patapos naman na sila at sa ating pagkakaalam bago mag-Pasko ay isusumite nila iyong enrolled copy ng GAB (Since they are about to finish, and to our knowledge, they will submit the enrolled copy of the GAB before Christmas)," Castro said.
During a meeting with the President on Tuesday, the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) agreed on the timelines for the passage of the General Appropriations Bill and the submission of the enrolled bill for the President's signature.
Also on Tuesday, the Senate, with 17 affirmative votes, no negative votes and zero abstention, approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 4058, which contains the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026.
After the Senate’s approval, members of the chamber and the House of Representatives will thresh out the different provisions of the budget in a bicameral conference committee meeting which will be held starting on Thursday, at Intramuros, Manila.