2 days ago
Senate's proposed 2026 budget slashed by nearly half at P7.5 billion
The Senate has a proposed budget of P7.5 billion for next year under the National Expenditure Program (NEP)—a far cry from its P13.9-billion budget for 2025.
Based on the 2026 NEP submitted by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the upper chamber initially proposed a P9.67-billion budget for 2025, but it was reduced to P7.52 billion upon final recommendation.
The Senate received a P13.93-billion budget under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The upper chamber's proposed 2026 budget was almost equally divided for its maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and personnel services, amounting to P3.77 billion and P3.74 billion, respectively.
No budget was allocated for the Senate's confidential, intelligence, and extraordinary expenses as in previous years. There was also zero allocation for its capital outlays on the 2026 NEP.
The DBM on Wednesday afternoon turned over the copy of the P6.793-trillion 2026 NEP to the Senate, which was personally received by Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero.
On the same day, the Senate adopted in the plenary Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4, subject to style, which seeks to establish transparency and accountability in the passage of the national budget.
The concurrent resolution mandates that budget documents such as the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), Bicameral Conference Committee Report, and transcripts of bicam meetings be uploaded on both the websites of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
It also provides that both Houses of Congress ensure that all budget deliberations, including budget briefings, public hearings, plenary discussions, and bicameral conference committee meetings be accessible to the public via digital live streaming.
The public will likewise be given a platform on the websites to communicate their analyses, suggestions, and feedback on the national budget. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
