Tempered household consumption, still reeling from the pandemic-induced recession, is weighing on the Philippine growth outlook, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). With private consumption—which accounts for more than 70 percent of the local economy—showing “weak momentum,”...
The Senate is unanimously supporting the House of Representatives call to open bicameral conference committee meetings during the crafting of the national budget. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, said the Senate has unanimously signed and filed Senate...
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) is prepared to continue its programs even if Congress decides to cut its proposed P903-million budget for 2026, its spokesperson said on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Speaking to reporters, OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo said they will respect any decision by lawmakers...
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has vowed to work with Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian to ensure transparency in the budget process as deliberations on the P6.793-trillion draws near. This, after Gatchalian, who now chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, vowed to ensure transparency in the...
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting to more than double its budget to nearly ₱200 billion in 2026 to fund the administration’s big-ticket transportation projects after last year’s massive cut. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said he is seeking a budget of about ₱197...
In order to dispel criticisms and lingering questions, the Senate will ensure that the entire budget process would be posted on the government’s website and made available for public scrutiny. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who now chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, pointed this out saying the...
President Marcos said he is prepared to reject and even reenact the national budget if Congress insists on fund realignments that undermine his administration’s priorities. In the third episode of his podcast released on Monday evening, Aug. 4, the President warned that some reallocations have...
PAMPANGA — Purely without budget insertions, next year’s funding for flood mitigation projects could face a massive budget reduction, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). During her inspection of flood-affected roads and flood-mitigation structures in Pampanga on Monday,...
Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero on Monday, August 4 filed a bill seeking to disqualify public officials and their relatives, up to fourth civil degree, from entering into government contracts. In filing Senate Bill No. 783, Escudero said he is confident this will sharpen the...
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is seeking a P5 billion allocation under the proposed 2026 national budget for the implementation of a large-scale dredging and desilting program in heavily silted rivers and waterways nationwide. DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the program will...
President Marcos is open to changes in the proposed 2026 national budget as long as they are justifiable and not intended to misuse public funds, Malacañang said amid early tensions with Congress over his warning against questionable insertions. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro...
Senator Imee Marcos on Monday called on the President to immediately release all funds tagged as “For Later Release” (FLR) under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), citing the urgency of completing long-delayed public projects and ensuring transparency in government spending. Following...