Marcos signs P6.793 trillion budget for 2026MANILA, Philippines — Following the largest corruption scandal his administration has seen, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) on Monday, January 5. In a budget signing ceremony at Malacañan Palace, Marcos acknowledged the systemic corruption that was uncovered in infrastructure corruption schemes in government. Marcos echoed earlier statements from Congress that the budget prioritized education, with P1.34 trillion allotted for the sector. The Philippine economy has taken a hit from the massive corruption scandal, with the national gross domestic product quickly declining. With the executive branch receiving the ratified budget a few days before 2025 ended, the government had to function on a reenacted budget for five days before the 2026 budget was signed.

Source: Philippine Star January 05, 2026 05:57 UTC