The bicameral conference committee approved the 2026 budgets of at least 20 government agencies as lawmakers work to finalize the spending measure before the New Year.
Senate Finance Committee Chair Sherwin Gatchalian and House Appropriations Chair Mikaela Angela Suansing said the remaining work involves reconciling and consolidating budgets to transmit the measure to Malacañang on time.
Approved agencies include the Offices of the President and Vice President, Congress, and key departments such as National Defense, Transportation, Finance, Social Welfare, and Science and Technology.
Senate leaders rejected allegations of a P17.9-billion “pork barrel,” clarifying that funds were realigned to increase subsistence allowances for uniformed personnel and strengthen local government services.
Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Pangilinan urged the committee to provide a detailed breakdown of P8 billion in farm-to-market road projects, which he flagged as vague and unspecified.
Source: PhilNews24 | December 18, 2025
