Executive Sec. Ralph Recto Speaks on 2026 Budget Approved by Pres. Bongbong Marcos
RALPH RECTO – The Executive Secretary stressed that the 2026 budget was ‘examined and studied on thoroughly’.
Amid the Philippines operating on a reenacted budget in the first week of January 2026, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the proposed P6.79 trillion national budget for 2026 today. The ceremonial signing of the national budget was held at the Malacañang Palace.
Malacañang previously shared that Marcos Jr. will spend the Christmas holidays working most especially reviewing the proposed 2026 national budget approved by the bicameral conference committee. According to the Palace, the President wanted to check which parts of the original allocations in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) were changed during the bicam.
It was a Christmas wish of Marcos Jr. to have a “good budget” from the legislative branch. Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, he previously ordered a sweeping review of the proposed fund of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The bicam-approved budget for the DPWH is P300 billion lower than the department’s main proposal. Meanwhile, DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon assured that the budget will be used right. He also thanked the bicam for their efforts in the budget process.
After Pres. Bongbong Marcos has signed the proposed P6.79 trillion budget for 2026, several officials of the Marcos Jr. administration spoke during a press conference. Executive Sec. Ralph Recto expressed his take on the national fund for this year.
According to E.S. Ralph Recto, he is confident that the 2026 national budget is free from pork barrel. He stressed that the legislators cannot intervene in the execution of the budget which he described as a “purely executive function”.
Executive Sec. Ralph Recto also claimed that the 2026 national budget was not just signed but it went through a thorough examination and study. He stressed that they will make sure that the Filipino people will benefit from the funds.
“We open the year with so much hope brought about by the newly-signed GAA of 2026 na hindi lang basta-bastang pinirmahan kundi sinuri, inupuan, at pinag-aralan nang mabuti,” Recto said.
Based on a post of News5 on social media, Executive Sec. Ralph Recto who was previously the Finance chief also described the 2026 national budget as “clean, disciplined, and responsive”. According to him, the government will implement it with integrity, sense of urgency, and vigilance.
Following the signing of the 2026 national budget, Marcos Jr. announced that the Philippine government will junk the “Padrino System”.