‘Soft pork’ still a complaint as Marcos reviews 2026 budget

The ratification of the proposed P6.793-trillion 2026 national budget had been “railroaded” amid lingering questions over “soft pork” and lump-sum items amounting to billions of pesos, according to some House members. Ahead of the signing of 2026 general appropriations bill (GAB) by President Marcos next week, opposition and minority lawmakers questioned its provisions on patronage