Malacañang on Tuesday urged lawmakers to move faster on the proposed 2026 national budget, saying President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wants to avoid a reenacted 2025 government spending plan that has slowed program implementation across several agencies.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro issued the call after Senator Sherwin Gatchalian warned the Senate may be running out of time to finalize the budget, raising the possibility of another carryover spending measure, if deliberations extend into next year.
“Speed up the work. The study should be sped up,” Castro said in a press briefing.
“The President does not like the reenacted budget, we know that. As much as possible, let’s speed things up,” he added.
Castro said the Palace is closely monitoring the timeline in both chambers of Congress, noting that delays in passing the 2026 budget could stall new infrastructure projects, social programs, and planned adjustments in key departments.
She added that the administration is ready to coordinate with legislators to secure timely approval.
“Time is passing slowly. I hope we can speed things up,” she said.
The Senate is currently tackling agency budgets as it races to meet its own deadline before bicameral talks with the House begin.
