IMEE MARCOS: 2026 BUDGET ‘SNEAKIEST,’ PORK STILL INTACT

Senator Imee Marcos criticized the 2026 national budget as the “sneakiest,” noting that President Marcos did not veto any programmed appropriations and that unprogrammed items (UA) were the only portions struck, leaving large pork allocations intact. She highlighted duplicative or ballooned allocations like farm-to-market roads, sudden P10-billion Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk, and medical aid programs that could be exploited for political leverage. Teacher groups and labor advocates, such as ACT Philippines, warned that the veto of P43.2 billion for new hires and benefits could affect over 259,000 government workers, including educators, leaving them underpaid and overworked. While critics denounced the move, some lawmakers like Rep. Robert Nazal viewed it as a step toward fiscal discipline and transparency, signaling a partial win for budget reform. Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian expressed concern over certain UA items, such as the P4.32-billion fund for the CARS program, but acknowledged that programmed appropriations remained largely unaffected.