House ratifies P6.7-T budget for 2026, allowing unprogrammed funds to stay

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December 29, 2025 | 2:39pm

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed P6.7-trillion 2026 national budget on Monday, December 29, despite objections from lawmakers who warn the spending plan remains riddled with "pork barrel" allocations in the form of unprogrammed appropriations.

The Senate is expected to ratify the report later Monday afternoon. Once both chambers approve, the enrolled bill will be transmitted to Malacañang, where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to sign it on January 5.

At least two lawmakers publicly shared their reasons for saying no to the bicam report during Monday's ratification, which saw lawmakers expressing their support or objection through a voice vote or viva voce.

The ratification comes after weeks of deadlock that forced Congress to extend its session calendar. The bicam proceedings were repeatedly suspended over disputes on the Department of Public Works and Highways budget, with the Senate and House at odds over roughly P45 billion in cuts based on alleged overpricing in the agency's construction materials price data.

The bicameral conference committee finally wrapped up its deliberations at early morning December 18 after talks that stretched to over nine hours. Bicam members signed the over 4,000-paged report on Sunday, December 28 — giving the rest of the House and the Senate only one day to review the document before Monday's ratification. 

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