House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan warned that the P243.2-billion unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 national budget could serve as a “blank check” for the executive branch, bypassing congressional oversight.
The House approved the P6.793-trillion budget with 287 votes in favor and 12 against, despite concerns from minority lawmakers and party-list representatives who said the funds encourage corruption and weaken fiscal discipline.
Labor coalition NAGKAISA also slammed the move as a “betrayal of public trust,” describing the allocations as “ghost budgets” prone to abuse.
In response, Malacañang and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) defended the unprogrammed funds, saying they are not “pork barrel” but standby reserves for emergencies and priority programs.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman assured that such funds can only be accessed through excess revenues or foreign-assisted projects, ensuring transparency and control.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 15, 2025
