Congress ratifies 2026 budget bicam report despite ‘pork’ program concerns

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives and the Senate ratified the bicameral conference committee (bicam) report on the proposed 2026 national budget despite reservations surrounding unprogrammed appropriations and possible “pork barrel” programs.

After both chambers of Congress ratified the bicam report on the P6.793-trillion spending plan on Monday, December 29, the measure will now be transmitted to Malacañang. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to sign the 2026 budget into law in the first week of January.

At least two House lawmakers voted against the ratification. House Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio said in a statement that that there was no funding provided for what he described as “genuine” agrarian reform and national industrialization.

“While funding for education, health, housing, and other social services is lacking, funds were poured into pork, fascism, foreign interests, and debt payments,” Tinio said.

The House deputy minority leader also flagged possible pork barrel programs for local government units (LGUs) such as the Local Government Support Fund, which was increased more than three times to P57.8 billion from just P16 billion in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

Financial Assistance to LGUs also jumped sevenfold to P37.4 billion from P5 billion, while the Growth Equity Fund surged nearly tenfold to P11.3 billion from just P1 billion. These are lump sum funds that may be used for infrastructure and social aid.

Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab also voted against the ratification, citing an alleged continued misuse of unprogrammed appropriations.

Concerns surrounding alleged pork programs also hounded the Senate, as several senators voted for the bicam report’s ratification but with reservations.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta – who previously voted for the Senate’s version of the spending plan – noted that several key reductions in ayuda (social aid) programs were restored by the bicam. Programs such as MAIFIP (Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients) and TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) were previously flagged by budget watchdogs for perpetuating political patronage.

MAIFIP, for instance, requires patients to secure a guarantee letter from politicians in order to avail of assistance.

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“When we place massive increases in ayuda and standby funds side by side, a troubling picture emerges. We are expanding both the soft channels of political patronage and the fiscal backdoors that allow them to be financed, all while claiming to pursue reform and discipline. This is impunity,” Marcoleta said.

Although he voted for the ratification of the bicam report, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson also flagged the absence of strong safeguards to prevent politicians from interfering with aid distribution.

“The national budget must not be a political tool or spoils for those in power. We deserve a budget that truly serves the people, free from political exploitation,” he said.

Senators Loren Legarda and Kiko Pangilinan voted for the ratification, but with reservations.

For Legarda, her reservations stemmed from the national government’s supposed continued failure to remit sin tax revenues and statutory shares from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to fund the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

Meanwhile, Pangilinan requested Marcos to veto a provision that authorizes the Department of Agriculture to enter a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to construct farm-to-market roads, which saw funding double to P33 billion from just P16 billion.

Pangilinan cited capacity and accountability concerns with the DPWH, as the embattled public works department is currently facing a backlog of 60,000 kilometers of farm-to-market roads.

“If we want to boost farmers’ productivity, reduce their transport costs, and improve their incomes, the DA is best equipped to determine which roads matter most for production areas and market access,” Pangilinan said.

Senate finance chairman Sherwin Gatchalian – who sponsored the Senate’s version of the 2026 spending plan – noted huge gains in funding for the agriculture, health and education sectors. According to Gatchalian, the bicam retained some P1.35 trillion in funding for the education sector, while the agriculture and health sectors are set to receive P214.39 billion and P447.6 billion, respectively. – Rappler.com