Budget can withstand legal scrutiny – PalacePRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026 during a ceremony at Malacañan Palace on Monday, Jan. 5. MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday expressed optimism that this year’s P6.793-trillion national budget would withstand legal scrutiny, after a lawmaker vowed to challenge the constitutionality of its unprogrammed appropriations. SafeguardsResponding to criticisms that the 2026 budget still contains “soft pork” funds, Senate finance committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian said adequate safeguards were put in place to deter corruption. We made sure this budget is corruption-free,” Gatchalian said at a press briefing in the Senate yesterday. Meanwhile, Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos thanked President Marcos for the inclusion of nearly P255 million in the 2026 budget, which will support the city’s socialized housing program.

Source: Philippine Star January 06, 2026 16:04 UTC