Senate Finance Committee Chair Sherwin Gatchalian expressed confidence that President Marcos will approve the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), citing a “meeting of minds” between the Senate and House versions of the P6.793-trillion national budget.
He noted that the bicameral conference committee-approved GAB, set for plenary ratification on Dec. 29, has undergone multiple reviews in coordination with the executive branch to ensure alignment with national priorities.
To prevent misuse, the Senate successfully removed the lump-sum unprogrammed appropriation item SAGIP, which had previously been linked to substandard or nonexistent flood control projects.
Gatchalian emphasized that safeguards are in place to prevent past infrastructure anomalies and protect taxpayers’ money.
The President is expected to review the 4,000-plus page budget in the first week of January before signing it.
Source: PhilNews24 | December 27, 2025
SENATOR GATCHALIAN OPTIMISTIC PRESIDENT MARCOS WILL SIGN 2026 BUDGET BILL
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