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Jean Mangaluz - Philstar.com
December 18, 2025 | 3:49pm
Lawmakers pose for a photo after bicam sessions wrap up on December 18, 2025.
Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Despite earlier assurances from senators that unprogrammed appropriations (UA) would be removed, the bicameral conference committee largely adopted the House of Representatives’ version of the 2026 national budget, restoring it to more than P243 billion.
The Senate-approved version of the 2026 budget set unprogrammed appropriations at P174.55 billion, cutting P68.66 billion from the House-approved level of P243.22 billion.
A screenshot of the Senate's version of the 2026 national budget
However, as the bicam reached the final stretch to pass the budget, lawmakers not only restored the UA to the House-approved level, but slightly increased it.
The House-approved UA was P243,222,549,000. The bicam approved the UA at P243,400,650,000, raising the funds by P178.101 million.
A screenshot from the livestreamed bicam during the budget deliberations on unprogrammed appropriations
Senate/ Youtube
Close to executive proposal
The executive branch had originally proposed P249.98 billion (P249,989,309,000) in unprogrammed appropriations in the National Expenditure Program, meaning Congress reduced the amount by only about P6.5 billion from the original proposal.
Senate Finance Committee Chair Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian did not explain the discrepancy between the Senate-approved UA and the version adopted by the bicam.
Philstar.com has sought comment from his office and will update this story once a response is received.
Livestreamed bicam, but sidelined talks
This year marked the first time that the traditionally closed-door bicameral proceedings were livestreamed.
However, discussions continued on the sidelines, and the livestream was suspended several times during the deliberations.
A full copy of the bicameral conference committee report has yet to be released.
Senate defense of unallocated funds
Asked by Sen. Erwin Tulfo why unprogrammed appropriations were not eliminated despite corruption scandals tied to the item, Gatchalian said the funds were earmarked for specific purposes.
These include the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as well as payments to related to the Light Rail Transit System.
SAGIP removed. The Strengthening Assistance for Government Infrastructure and Social Programs (SAGIP) item, however, had been removed, Gatchalian said.
SAGIP was used in the flood control kickback schemes, he explained.
No actual cash yet. Gatchalian reiterated that while large amounts appear under unprogrammed appropriations, no actual cash would be released unless the government posts excess revenues.
He added that many programs funded under UA would not require immediate funding until the second or third quarter of the year.
Unprogrammed appropriations have long been a contentious item in the national budget, with lawmakers—including Gatchalian himself in past years—describing it as a form of pork barrel.
