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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider No VP Sara impeach bid included in 2026 budget —Gatchalian

No VP Sara impeach bid included in 2026 budget —Gatchalian

Published Jan 6, 2026 03:33 pm
Vice President Sara Duterte (MB File Photo)
Vice President Sara Duterte (MB File Photo)

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian rejected on Tuesday, January 6 insinuations that the 2026 national budget was crafted to include efforts to pursue the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. 

This, after Sen. Imee Marcos, in a video posted on her Facebook page, floated the possibility that the budget cuts on some departments and projects and the increase in some offices could mean preparation for the impeachment trial of the vice president.

The President’s sister specifically mentioned the budget for foreign-assisted projects of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), including the Metro Manila Subway and North-South Commuter Railway, which was reduced from P121.5 billion to P49.2-billion; and the cuts in the budget for the foreign-assisted projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), from P70-billion to P17-billion. 

Marcos noted that in contrast, the budget for the financial assistance programs of the government, as well as farm-to-market roads (FMRs) and other projects, were increased. 

"Ginigiling (ang budget) para pagulungin ang impeachment ni Inday (The budget was ground to initiate the impeachment of Inday),” Marcos said, referring to the Vice President. 

But Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, denied this  insisting that the 2026 budget was “corruption-free.”

“Kanya kanyang tao, kanya kanyang theory 'no (Each person has their own mind, their own theory, right)? So, I cannot comment on her theory,” Gatchalian said in a press briefing.

“Well, in my case, we did not discuss the impeachment, we did not discuss the political side of things,” the senator added.

“What was discussed was the budgetary requirements, as well as the impact to the people,” he said. 

Though people may have different opinions on the national budget, Gatchalian said it is still a policy issue.

“We can debate on policy issues the whole day or the whole week. But what is important is there is no debate on corruption,” he argued.

“Because we made sure that this (2026) budget is corruption-free and would not be abused,” he stressed. 

Last Monday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed into law the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which contains the P6.793-trillion budget for the current fiscal year.

But the President also vetoed nearly P92.5-billion worth of line items under the unprogrammed appropriations under the 2026 GAA, saying it was done to ensure that public funds would be utilized to serve public and national interest.

Related Tags

Sherwin Gatchalian 2026 national budget MARCOS Imee Marcos 2026 General Appropriations Act VP Sara Sara Duterte
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