Politicians barred from aid distribution under 2026 budget
Published Jan 5, 2026 12:31 pm
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. signs the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañan on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. The national budget, enacted as Republic Act No. 12314, amounts to P6.793 trillion. (RTVM)
President Marcos said politicians will be barred from distributing cash and other forms of financial assistance under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) to prevent patronage and ensure aid reaches intended beneficiaries.
Speaking during the signing of the 2026 budget in Malacañan on Monday, Jan. 5, Marcos said the government will strictly implement the provision prohibiting political involvement in the distribution of financial assistance.
“Politicians shall be barred from the distribution of any financial aid, and we shall ensure that the support reaches the intended beneficiaries without patronage,” he said.
“Walang bawas, walang kulang (No deductions, nothing missing),” he added.
The President said the measure is part of broader efforts to strengthen accountability and restore public trust in the use of public funds.
In a press briefing after the signing, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the prohibition is explicitly provided for in the 2026 budget.
“Kung hindi ako nagkakamali (If I’m not mistaken), there is a special provision in the budget, or a general provision in the budget, na bawal ang pulitiko (that prohibits politicians) during the actual disbursement,” he said.
“So susundin natin ang guidelines na ’yan (So we will follow those guidelines),” he added.
Recto said the restriction is new, noting that similar safeguards were not included in previous budgets.
“I’ll put it this way—it’s the first time we’ve had this kind of provision [in the] General Appropriations Act,” he said.
“So subukan natin muna (So let’s try it first),” he added.
The provision is intended to prevent political intervention in government assistance programs and ensure that financial aid is distributed directly to beneficiaries based on eligibility rather than political influence.