Statement of Malacañang on 2026 Proposed National Budget amid House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno’s Claim
Malacañang reacted to a lawmaker’s claim that some items in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) allegedly request budget for projects that are already finished.
The National Expenditure Program or NEP crafted by the executive department is now in the hands of the lawmakers in the House of Representatives. The budget scrutiny has began. President Bongbong Marcos previously called on the Congress to ‘swiftly enact’ the 2026 proposed budget. It is amounting to P6.79-trillion.
Marcos Jr. previously claimed during his 4th State of the Nation Address or SONA that he will not approve budget proposals that are not in line with the government’s plans. However, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero, when asked about the remarks of the Chief Executive, stressed that the “power of the purse” still belongs to the Congress.
Ahead of the budget deliberation, Malacañang told the Congress that the “power of the purse” must not be abused. Meanwhile, following the submission of the 2026 NEP to the House, Pres. Bongbong Marcos called for cooperation to the Congress. According to him, the country is on the tracks with our agenda for prosperity and the Philippines can be a leader among the nations.
Amid the deliberation of the 2026 proposed national budget in the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno claimed that there were allegedly some items requesting for budget allocations for projects that have already been “finished”.
The remarks of Puno sparked several criticisms against the executive department which crafted the NEP. Amid the issue, Malacañang called on the public not to be judgmental.
“Unang-una, huwag muna po tayong maging judgmental agad ‘di ba dahil kailangan po nila muna makipag-cooperate/makipag-coordinate sa DPWH at kung anuman iyong ahensiya na sinasabi nilang nagawa na iyong proyekto pero nandoon pa rin po iyong budget,” Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro said.
Furthermore, the Palace press official cited an example as she called on the public not to make judgments while the veracity of Puno’s claim has yet to be investigate. According to her, the coordinates of the said projects must be checked first to ensure whether or not the proposed budget allocation really refers to the finished projects.
”So, halimbawa na lamang po, example po natin ang Marikina River – kung may proyekto po diyan dapat eksakto po iyong coordinates, kung ano talaga iyong lokasyon dahil baka sa haba niyan eh ibang parte ay tapos na pero iyong ibang coordinates naman o ibang lokasyon ay hindi pa,” the Malacañang press official said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways is in the center of criticisms amid the issues of alleged anomalous flood control projects in the different areas. Based on a report on Inquirer, the President claimed that he will create a fact-finding team to check on the alleged anomalous infrastructure projects of the Public Works department.
Amid the claims of House Deputy Minority Ronaldo Puno, DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman assured to discussed the said “items” that Puno was referring to with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon. Amid the flood control projects issue, newly-appointed DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon confirmed that he will order the “courtesy resignation” of all DPWH officials.