Senator Imee Marcos on Wednesday, December 31 said she refused to sign the bicameral conference committee approved version of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), saying it did not eliminate the so-called pork barrel system despite efforts to promote transparency and accountability.

Senator Imee Marcos (Senate PRIB photo)

“Hindi ako pumirma sa ‘giniling budget.’ Kinikilala ko ang power of the purse ng Kongreso, pero hindi ko pinirmahan ang 2026 GAA Bicam Report at ang ratipikasyon nito sa Senado (I did not sign the ‘giniling (ground) budget’.  I recognize the power of the purse of Congress, but I did not sign the 2026 GAA Bicam Report and its ratification by the Senate),” Marcos said in a statement.

“Una, hindi ako sang-ayon sa pagbawas ng pondo sa flagship projects ng pamahalaan - lalo na ang foreign-assisted projects ng DPWH at DOTr (First, I do not agree with the reduction of funds in the government’s flagship projects - especially the foreign-assisted projects of the DPWH and DOTr),” she said, referring to the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation.

Marcos noted that the cut from the National Expenditure Program (NEP) amounted to ₱124.58-billion, even though these projects are not flood control and include the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and Metro Manila Subway.

Moreover, she said she strongly opposed transferring the eliminated flood control funds to government social amelioration programs such as the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program (MAIFIP) and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

The President’s sister insisted these cash aid programs of the government for the poor are considered “soft pork.”

“Ikalawa, mali para sa akin na ilipat ang tinanggal na flood control funds patungo sa mga ‘SOFT PORK’ gaya ng MAIFIP, AICS, TUPAD, PAFF, FMR, at LGSF - mga programang matagal nang inuugnay sa political incentives. Ang dagdag na pondo rito? ₱143.83B mula sa NEP (Second, I find it wrong to transfer the eliminated flood control funds to soft pork, such as MAIFIP, AICS, TUPAD, PAFF, FMR, and LGSF - programs that have long been associated with political incentives. The additional funds here? ₱143.83B from the NEP,” she pointed out.

TUPAD, which stands for Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, is a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) program that offers temporary emergency work and financial aid to vulnerable, underemployed, or displaced workers.

PAFF refers to the government’s Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk, while the FMR stands for farm-to-market roads of the government implemented supposedly by the DPWH.

The LGSF or Local Government Support Fund is a national government fund managed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and primarily provides financial assistance and support to local government units (LGUs) for the delivery of basic services and improvement of infrastructure.

“Tuwing mababanggit ang soft pork, hindi ko maiwasang isipin, na ito ay pork barrel pa rin

(Whenever soft pork is mentioned, I can't help but think, that it's still pork barrel),” Marcos lamented.

“Ang budget na ito ay giniling-pork pa rin, giniling lang para 'di halata...kaya ayoko pumirma (This budget is still grinded -pork, just ground so it's not obvious...Thus, I will not sign,” she stressed.

Last Monday, December 29, Congress ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the P6.793-trillion national budget after holding livestreamed bicameral proceedings at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

In an interview prior to the ratification, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Marcos, and Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go –all members of the Senate minority bloc—did not sign the report.