Imee Marcos Raises Alarm Over Cuts in 2026 National Budget
IMEE MARCOS – The senator criticized the 2026 national budget, describing it as “shredded” and “mistreated,” with key projects being cut while others received increased funding. She compared the process to grinding meat, suggesting that the cuts and boosts were done to favor certain groups while leaving others underfunded. According to Marcos, these large reductions in essential projects were intentional.
She pointed out that foreign-assisted transportation projects, such as the Metro Manila Subway and the North–South Commuter Railway, were reduced from ₱121.5 billion to ₱49.2 billion, limiting the country’s progress. Flood control projects and bridge constructions under the Department of Public Works and Highways were also heavily cut from ₱70 billion to ₱17 billion, leaving communities more vulnerable to flooding even with minor rains. Marcos emphasized that these cuts were not about saving money but weakened critical services for the public.
At the same time, some programs received significant increases despite limited results. The Farm-to-Market Roads budget nearly doubled from ₱16 billion to ₱33 billion. Aid programs, including Presidential Assistance to Farmers, TUPAD for displaced workers, and DSWD’s crisis assistance, also saw substantial increases. Medical support for poor patients rose to over ₱51 billion, and the Local Government Support Fund reached ₱57.8 billion. In contrast, funding for small businesses was reduced, while some agencies with low performance received more.
Marcos shared her concerns in a social media skit, humorously comparing the budget’s division to grinding pork, highlighting alleged favoritism and political motives. She also linked some of the cuts and increases to political maneuvers, including actions related to impeachment.
She skipped the final reading of the ₱6.793 trillion budget in the Senate and did not sign the report, believing the funds were still unfairly allocated. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, however, stated that the budget is “pork-free” and emphasized that lawmakers cannot interfere with its execution, which is purely an executive responsibility.