Palace Speaks on Marcos Jr. amid Delay in Budget Process Following DPWH’s Request
MARCOS JR. – Malacañang said the President is confident of the timely passage of the 2026 national budget.
Senate Finance Committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian admitted that the budget process is no longer on schedule. Last Monday, the bicameral conference committee postponed its session following the request of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for additional fund.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon asked the bicam to restore P45 billion of the budget cut from the agency’s initial proposed budget. The remarks of Dizon came as a surprise to many senators as it was the Public Works Chief who reviewed and announced the slashing of the agency’s budget months ago.
Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously ordered a sweeping review of the proposed budget of the DPWH. The agency worked with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) over the matter.
Malacañang previously explained that Marcos Jr. wants to ensure that the budget goes to projects that will serve the Filipino people. Following the review, Dizon announced that they cut the agency’s budget by P255 billion and asked the lawmakers to re-allocate it to other sectors.
In his recent request to restore P45 billion of the budget cut from the agency’s proposed fund, DPWH chief Vince Dizon cited the supposed changes in the Construction Materials Price Data (CMPD) as the reason behind the request. According to him, around 10,000 projects of the agency may not be implemented if the Congress will not approve its request.
The request of the DPWH did not come smoothly towards the bicam. Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson claimed that the DPWH should clarify its alleged mistake in the computation. According to him, it is the Congress that allegedly appears as the villain in the issue.
Amid the budget process no longer being on schedule now, the Palace spoke on Pres. Bongbong Marcos. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Atty. Claire Castro stressed that Marcos Jr. is confident of the passage of the 2026 national budget.
“Sa puso at isipan ng Pangulo, kakayanin ito kasi ang gusto natin lahat, pati ang Pangulo ayaw niya ng reenacted budget,” the Palace official said.
Furthermore, based on the report, Malacañang also stressed that there should be perseverance to really pass the 2026 budget. According to her, they do not want to think about another plan. She also stressed that even the Department of Finance is worried if there will be a reenacted budget as many projects may not be implemented.
“So dapat pagpursigihan, matapos para maipasa yung 2026 budget. Ayaw namin isipin ang Plan B,” Castro added.
Recently, Marcos Jr. admitted that his Christmas wish has something to do with the 2026 national budget.