Palace: Marcos to Work Through Christmas as 2026 Budget Review Takes Center Stage

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will spend the Christmas holidays working, Malacañang confirmed, as the administration rushes to review the proposed ₱6.7-trillion national budget for 2026 approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee.

According to Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez, the President has already mobilized his economic and budget teams to conduct a detailed review of the allocations and policy provisions contained in the bicameral version of the General Appropriations Bill.

The Palace said the review aims to ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently and in line with national priorities, particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding public infrastructure spending.

Focus on budget integrity

Malacañang stressed that the President’s decision to work through the holidays underscores the importance of fiscal responsibility, especially as lawmakers race against time to ratify the budget before the year ends.

Congress extended its sessions until December 30 to complete the ratification process. Once approved by both chambers, the bill will be transmitted to the President for signing.

However, Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier expressed doubts that the timetable could be met, raising the possibility that the government may begin 2026 under a reenacted budget.

DPWH budget cut looms large

One of the most notable developments in the proposed 2026 budget is the significant reduction in funding for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The agency’s proposed allocation was reportedly cut from ₱880 billion to ₱529.6 billion following public backlash and investigations related to alleged flood control kickback schemes.

The controversy has prompted calls for closer scrutiny of infrastructure pricing, project implementation, and accountability mechanisms—issues that continue to dominate public discourse.

Malacañang said the President’s review will include tracing changes made from the original National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted earlier this year to ensure that adjustments are justified and transparent.

A political signal

Observers note that the announcement of a “working Christmas” carries symbolic weight. At a time when public trust in institutions is under strain, the Palace appears keen to project diligence and oversight—especially with a budget that will shape governance and public services in the coming year.

Whether the budget is signed before year-end or temporarily reenacted, the administration faces mounting expectations to prove that lessons from past controversies are reflected in how public money is allocated moving forward.

For many Filipinos, the question is no longer just whether leaders are working—but whether that work will translate into measurable accountability and better outcomes on the ground.