House Assistant Minority Leader Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal admitted Wednesday, Dec. 31 that he favored the ratification of the Bicameral Conference Committee (bicam) report on the 2026 national budget only due to the sheer necessity of the situation.

The bicam report on the P6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2026 was ratified by the House last Monday, Dec. 29, amid the possibility of a reenacted budget in case it doesn't get done.

Nazal said a reenacted budget would paralyze government operations, delay essential services and stall urgent programs.

“Between an imperfect budget and paralysis, the greater danger lies in paralysis,” he said, as he warned that a reenacted budget would slow implementation, delay access to services, and weaken the government’s ability to respond to national needs.

But the party-list lawmaker stressed that his approval--expressed via voice vote in plenary--came with firm constitutional reservations.

He renewed objections to the continued inclusion of unprogrammed funds in the GAB, which he described as constitutionally suspect because they lack assured sources of revenue.

Citing an opinion by Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando, Nazal said such appropriations amount to a “blank check” that undermines transparency and accountability.

Nazal also warned against items that surfaced only at the bicameral stage. He says such last-minute insertions raise constitutional concerns and lead to underspending and weaken the integrity of the budget process--a view shared by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

He criticized the continued non-release of the Higher Education Development Fund. He says it violates Republic Act (RA) No. 7722 and deprives state universities and colleges (SUCs) of needed liquidity to implement projects.

Nazal likewise flagged the lack of a national program code for subsidies under the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act. Reliance on local funding creates fiscal inequity and leaves poorer communities without support, says the assistant minority leader.

“These concerns go to the heart of constitutional governance, fiscal discipline and accountability to vulnerable sectors,” Nazal said.

He emphasized that the responsibility of Congress does not end with budget passage.

“Approving the national budget does not end Congress’ duty. It begins it,” he said, as he called for corrective legislation, strict oversight and, when necessary, judicial review.

Nazal said lawmakers must maintain zero tolerance for fiscal leakages, ghost projects, and substandard implementation that betray public trust.