‘Marcos not sitting in bicam budget talks’

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MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday clarified that President Marcos won’t literally sit at bicameral conference committee deliberations on the 2026 budget, but is watching over the process to ensure that the spending measure would be in line with his administration’s priorities.

Last Tuesday, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Marcos is closely monitoring the process for next year’s national budget and is even ready to sit at the bicam if necessary.

Asked whether Marcos is indeed planning to sit in the bicam, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said, “Literally, he will not definitely sit during the bicam meeting. This is just an expression to show to the people that he will keep an eye on the national budget for 2026.

“So, at least it should be based on the priorities of the government... and it should prioritize the shovel-ready projects of the government,” she added.

Marcos vetoed P194 billion worth of items in this year’s P6.326-trillion national budget, saying they are not part of his administration’s priorities. The vetoed items consisted of more than 170 public works projects worth P26 billion and 15 unprogrammed appropriations worth P168.24 billion.

Members of the Development Budget Coordination Committee are scheduled to meet on May 26 to discuss the budget ceiling, which will depend on the revenue projections from the finance department and the revenue-generating agencies. Economic managers will then meet with the President to review vital priority projects.

ACT Teachers party-list yesterday said that deliberations on the General Appropriations Act are an exclusive legislative function and Marcos’ involvement would unduly pressure the lawmakers and undermine the separation of powers.

“The President’s presence or intervention violates the principle of checks and balances and endangers the independence of Congress,” Rep. France Castro said. — Delon Porcalla