Executive Sec. Ralph Recto Speaks on 2026 National Budget Signed by Pres. Bongbong Marcos
RALPH RECTO – The Executive Secretary described the 2026 national budget recently signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as “clean, disciplined, and responsive”.
Marcos Jr. recently signed the P6.79 trillion proposed budget for 2026. On the first week of January 2026, the country operated on a reenacted budget which the finance authorities said won’t have much negative impacts. The Malacañang Palace previously claimed that the President continued working amid the Christmas holidays reviewing the budget submitted by the bicameral conference committee.
According to the Palace, Pres. Bongbong Marcos wanted to really check the differences between the original allocations under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and the allocations approved by the bicam. It is no secret to the public that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is given a budget that is P300 billion lower than its original proposal amid the flood control mess.
Following the signing of the 2026 national budget, former Finance Secretary turned Executive Sec. Ralph Recto spoke on the approved fund for the government this year. Based on a post of News5 on social media, Recto is confident that the national fund is allegedly “pork barrel-free”.
“Hindi naman puwedeng mangialam ang legislator pagdating sa executing the budget at purely executive function na ‘yan,” the Executive Secretary said.
E.S. Ralph Recto described the 2026 national budget as “clean, disciplined, and responsive”. According to him, this year is allegedly the start of a more proper and just use of the people’s funds.
“We built a budget that is clean, disciplined, and responsive and we will implement it with integrity, constant vigilance, and sense of urgency,” he expressed.
Executive Sec. Ralph Recto further claimed that they will make sure that the people will benefit from the 2026 national budget approved by Pres. Bongbong Marcos. According to him, there are 10 unprogrammed funds that were vetoed by the President.
Amid the flood control mess in the country, during the press conference, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Acting Sec. Rolando Toledo admitted that the 2026 national budget still contains flood control funds. Meanwhile, he clarified that the flood control funds are limited to foreign-assisted programs. He stressed that there are contracts that the Philippine government should follow.
After signing the 2026 national budget, Pres. Bongbong Marcos announced that politicians will be barred from the distribution of any financial aid and other forms of assistance from the government.