Malacañang yesterday sought to quell concerns that a string of high-level resignations would disrupt the government’s budget work, insisting that the proposed 2026 national budget remains on track for passage.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the administration’s fiscal operations remain stable even as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reorganizes his economic team in the wake of an ongoing probe into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
Castro said the officials stepping into new roles, including incoming Finance Secretary Frederick Go, who replaces Ralph Recto, and Department of Budget and Management officer in charge Rolando Toledo, who succeeds Amenah Pangandaman, have long been involved in crafting the government’s spending program.
“These are the same people who handled the budget and managed the finances. There will be no interruption in the process,” Castro said.
“They are already working to ensure timely passage of the national budget,” she added.
Castro stressed that despite the turbulence in the Cabinet, the administration’s fiscal roadmap remains intact.
“The changes in leadership will not affect the government’s commitment to deliver the budget on time,” Castro said.
The reshuffle follows the voluntary resignations of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Pangandaman, which Malacañang said were accepted to allow investigators to proceed unimpeded in their work.
The Palace emphasized President Marcos’ gratitude for their service and leadership.
Congress, meanwhile, is in the final stretch of budget deliberations. The House passed its version of the P6.793-trillion spending plan on Oct. 13, while the Senate is holding final-stage plenary debates.
A bicameral conference committee will reconcile differences before transmitting the final measure to the Palace.
