SONA 2025: Marcos 'willing' to operate on reenacted budget in 2026
'For the 2026 national budget, I will return any proposed Generation Appropriations bill that is not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program (NEP),' Marcos said during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA 2025) Monday.
'Further, I am willing to do this even if we end up with a reenacted budget. 'Di ko aapribubahan ang kahit na anong budget na hindi alinsunod sa plano ng gobyerno para sa sambayanang Pilipino (I will not approve a budget that is not aligned with the government's plan for the Filipinos),' the President declared.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) defines a reenacted budget as a situation where the previous year's General Appropriations Act (GAA) is extended and remains in effect for a preceding year until such time the Congress passes a budget bill into law.
Early this month, Marcos approved the P6.793-trillion NEP for Fiscal Year 2026.
The 2026 NEP resulted from about P10.101 trillion budget proposals which was trimmed down due to limited fiscal space and the fiscal consolidation strategy, which targets gradually reducing the national government's deficit from 5.5% of GDP in 2025 to 4.3% by 2028.
The proposed P6.793-trillion 2026 budget was equivalent to 22.0 percent of GDP and higher by 7.4% from the fiscal year 2025 budget of P6.326 trillion.
The NEP will be submitted by the President to Congress within 30 days after the opening of the regular session.
The 2025 GAA had its fair share of criticisms amid claims of insertions made by legislators during the bicam for cash aid programs such as AKAP and TUPAD.
The President signed the P6.326-trillion GAA for 2025 in December 2024, but vetoed P194 billion worth of line items that are not consistent with his administration's priorities.
Marcos issued his threat to veto the 2026 budget bill after making a stern warning against government personnel who steal funds especially for flood control projects.
The President claimed that erring government officials are making a racket out of these projects by having 'kickback, initiative, errata, SOP, for the boys.'
'Kaya sa mga nakikipag-sabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino,' Marcos said.
(To those who collude to steal the country's funds and the Filipino people's future, shame on you.)
The country's Chief Executive ordered an audit and performance review of flood control 'to check, and make sure, and to know how your money was spent' as he warned that heads will roll and cases will be slapped against erring personnel and contractors.
'Kailangan malaman ng taumbayan ang buong katotohanan. Kailangang may maging managot sa naging pinsala at katiwalian,' Marcos said.
(The Filipino people should know the truth. Those responsible for the damage and irregularity should be held accountable.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
3 hours ago
- GMA Network
Bam Aquino: Everyone should work for education
'Para sa edukasyon, lahat po tayo kailangan magtulungan.' (For education, everyone should work together.) This was the statement of Senator Bam Aquino on Wednesday when asked by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday if he is already supporting the leadership of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. Estrada posed the question during Wednesday's plenary session after Aquino, in his privilege speech, said that he welcomes Marcos' affirmation during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) that education should remain a top priority for the last three years of the administration. 'On a lighter note, Senator Aquino, you mentioned earlier…na masaya ka at maraming binanggit si Pangulong Marcos tungkol sa education. 'Yan ba ay pagpapatunay na sinusuportahan niyo si Pangulong Marcos?' Estrada asked. (On a lighter note, Senator Aquino, you mentioned you are happy that President Marcos talked a lot about education. Is that proof of support for President Marcos?) Aquino, in response, explained that everyone working together for the sake of education has been his position ever since. 'Kahapon po, I was pleasantly surprised…naka-ready na po 'yung speech ko eh, kaya parang buminggo talaga tayo. Ang rami dito nabanggit po nung Monday. We're very thankful for that,' he added. (Yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised. My speech was ready but it seems that we ticked all the boxes. A lot was mentioned on Monday. We're very thankful for that.) Aquino was recently given the chairmanship of the Senate committee on basic education. He also joined the Senate majority bloc, along with Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan, after airing their support for the Senate presidency of Francis 'Chiz' Escudero. During his fourth SONA, Marcos vowed aggressive actions to address the learning crisis confronting the Philippine education sector, seeking to create a lasting impact for Filipino students, teachers, and families. The President also committed to building 40,000 additional classrooms before the end of his term as part of a major infrastructure push to solve persistent shortages in public schools across the country. In his privilege speech, Aquino recognized that the issues hounding the country's education system will not be solved easily. He said that the Senate committee on basic education will ensure that the government's promises to improve the quality of education will be kept. 'With the budget increase and the President's pronouncement during the SONA, I'm sure we will find a way to find the funding para magkaroon ng successful implementation ang mga education reforms natin. Itong lahat, kailangan po natin para masolusyonan ang krisis ng ating edukasyon,' the senator said. (With the budget increase and the President's pronouncement during the SONA, I'm sure we will find a way to get the funding to have a successful implementation of our education reforms. We need all of this to solve the crisis in our education system.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 hours ago
- GMA Network
Risa to chair anew Senate committee that probed POGO, KOJC
It was the said committee, also under Hontiveros in the 19th Congress, that conducted investigations and exposed the alleged crimes linked to Philippine offshore gaming operations, and the alleged abuses in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ religious group. Sen. Risa Hontiveros, a member of the Senate minority, has again been elected chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality. It was the said committee, also under Hontiveros in the 19th Congress, that conducted investigations and exposed the alleged crimes linked to Philippine offshore gaming operations, and the alleged abuses in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ religious group. This developed as other members of the five-person Senate minority were elected chairpersons of some Senate committees. Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who won a new first term as senator in Eleksyon 2025, was elected chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participation. Sen. Loren Legarda will also continue to chair the Committee on Culture and the Arts, while Sen. Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri will still be the chairman of the Committee on Economic Affairs. Majority bloc members Sen. Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa was elected to chair the Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation; and Sen. Mark Villar will chair the Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises. Hontiveros and Zubiri were also named as the deputy minority leaders, while senators JV Ejercito and Rodante Marcoleta will serve as deputy majority leaders. Sen. Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III was earlier elected as the Senate minority leader, and Senator Joel Villanueva as the Senate majority leader.
GMA Network
7 hours ago
- GMA Network
Senate to hold hearing on online gambling
Senator Erwin Tulfo announced Wednesday that he will spearhead a Senate investigation into the proliferation of online gambling in the country, as he joined calls in Congress for its total ban. Tulfo, chairman of the Senate games and amusement committee, said that he will invite the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Department of Finance (DOF) to the hearing which may begin early next week. He also said he wants to hear the stance of his fellow senators and other stakeholders regarding online gaming, as some have been pushing for its total prohibition, while others only want its strict regulation. 'But if I can have it my way, kung ako ang tatanungin personally, I want this online gambling stopped. Kung ako po ang masusunod, ora mismo, dapat itigil na ang online gambling because of the fact na masama na po ang nangyayari,' Tulfo said in a press conference. (But if I can have it my way, if I'm asked personally, I want this online gambling stopped. If I am the one to be followed, then we should ban online gambling right now because what is happening right now is bad.) The first-termer senator also expressed disappointment with the congressman who was seen watching e-sabong on his phone while members of the lower chamber were voting for House Speaker during Monday's session. The younger Tulfo said that the congressman should apologize or explain why he was doing such while the House session was ongoing. 'Tapos the Congress should ask for an explanation. Why? Imbes na magtrabaho sila, nagbobotohan sila, serious business 'yung araw na 'yun diba, nagbobotohan ng Speaker. Bakit ka nagsusugal? Number two, bawal naman 'yun. First place, bawal talaga 'yung sugal. Ano explanation? There's no explanation,' Erwin Tulfo said. (Then the Congress should ask for an explanation. Instead of working since that day was a serious business, why were they gambling? Number two, that's not allowed. In the first place, gambling is really not allowed. What's the explanation? There's no explanation.) 'Gambling capital of Asia' In his privilege speech during Wednesday's session, Senator Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri also put on record that he was 'extremely disappointed' that President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. did not mention anything about the ills of online gambling during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 28. 'Shame on you PAGCOR, shame on you operators of online gambling. Kung may isang Pilipino tayong tinutulungan dahil sa kinikita ng bayan dahil sa online gambling, panigurado ako na libo libong Pilipino ang nagdurusa ngayon at lubog sa utang dahil nalulong sa gambling,' he said. (Shame on you PAGCOR, shame on you operators of online gambling. If we're helping one Filipino because of the benefits of online gambling, I'm sure that thousands of Filipinos are suffering now and drowning in debt because they are addicted to it.) To recall, Zubiri filed a bill seeking an outright ban on all forms of online gambling, including digital betting platforms, mobile applications, and websites that allow users to place wagers through electronic devices. He said that the Philippines is now the 'gambling capital of Asia,' besting Macau and Cambodia. Several senators such as Loren Legarda, Raffy Tulfo, Risa Hontiveros, and Francis Pangilinan expressed manifestations of support for the total ban of online gambling during the ongoing plenary session. Flood control Further, Erwin Tulfo also filed a resolution directing the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, into the reported abuse of flood control programs and related projects, in a bid to address the country's flooding problem. In proposed Senate Resolution No. 31, the younger Tulfo emphasized that despite the continuous implementation of flood control projects funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA), widespread and severe flooding continues to affect many areas. 'Considering the persistent and widespread occurrence of flooding nationwide, despite significant budgetary allocation, there exists a compelling and immediate necessity to develop and execute a comprehensive, integrated flood control master plan,' the resolution read. 'Moreover, it is imperative to assess and determine flood control projects that are inconsistent with the administration's infrastructure priorities, with due regard to the urgency of need, implementation readiness, and the absorptive capacity of DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) and other concerned agencies,' it added. During his fourth SONA, Marcos ordered the DPWH to submit a list of flood control projects in the last three years. The President said there will be a regional monitoring committee that will examine the projects to see their progress and if they exist. "We will publish this list so that the public can see it," Marcos said. "At the same time, there will be an audit and performance review of these projects to check and make sure and to know how your money was spent." "Sa mga susunod na buwan, makakasuhan ang mga lalabas na maysala mula sa imbestigasyon pati na ang kasabwat na kontratista sa buong bansa. Kailangan malaman ng taumbayan and katotohanan, kailangan may managot sa matinding pinsala at katiwalian," the President added. (In the next few months, those found guilty based on the investigation will be charged, as well as their accomplice contractor. The people need to know the truth, someone needs to be held accountable for their consequences and corruption.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News
