‘26 budget pork-free, bars politicians from ‘ayuda’ distribution
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law this year’s P6.793 trillion national budget, vetoing almost P92.5 billion in unprogrammed funds while putting tighter controls on public spending, including barring politicians from distributing cash and other forms of “ayuda.”
“With the National Budget 2026, your government’s direction is clear, it will be more prudent and more responsible in spending the people’s funds,” the President on Monday said, adding that unprogrammed appropriations will not be treated as “blank checks.”
“Let me be clear: the Unprogrammed Appropriations are not blank checks. We will not allow the Unprogrammed Appropriations to be misused or treated as a backdoor for discretionary spending.”
“We will make releases charged from the UA transparent, providing the necessary details on the funding source and the corresponding purpose. The UA utilization is provided with safeguards and is only available when clearly defined triggers and tests are met and will be released only after careful validation,” the President said, adding that these safeguards will be enforced “without exception.”
The 2026 spending measure explicitly prohibits politicians from participating in the distribution of cash and other forms of financial assistance, a safeguard Executive Secretary Ralph Recto described as a first in the history of the national budget.
“We will strictly implement the provision on the ‘Prohibition on Political Involvement in the Distribution of Cash and Other Forms of Financial Assistance,’” Mr. Marcos said.
“Politicians shall be barred from the distribution of any financial aid and we shall ensure that the support reaches the intended beneficiaries without patronage,” the President added.
The prohibition covers government aid programs such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), as well as cash grants and pensions for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Recto said this year’s national budget is free from pork barrel provisions, with unprogrammed appropriations reduced to a record low of P150.9 billion.
“In our view, the budget is pork barrel-free. The legislation cannot dip its hand in budget execution,” he said.
Department of Budget and Management acting Secretary Rolando Toledo said vetoed items include the P80-billion Strengthening Assistance for Government Infrastructure and Social Programs (SAGIP) fund, P6.7 billion in public health emergency benefits, P2 billion for Marawi Siege Victims Compensation, and other unprogrammed allocation items that were already funded elsewhere or lacked sufficient safeguards.
Toledo said three UA items were retained as these may require “immediate action” once legally defined conditions arise: support for foreign-assisted projects with loan agreements expected to be finalized within the year, risk management provisions for unforeseen contingencies, and the P50 billion for the revised Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program.
“UA is not a pork barrel. It is not a political fund. This is a safety net, not a shortcut,” Toledo said.
According to the DBM, the 2026 budget prioritizes investments in human capital, including the highest allocations for education and enhanced funding for health services, as the administration seeks inclusive growth and expanded opportunities for citizens.
President Marcos said the 2026 spending plan aligns with the administration’s medium-term development program and will sustain initiatives in education, health, food security, social protection and job creation.
“The year 2025 tested our nation on many fronts… These challenges are painful, but they also made one thing clear: real change could no longer wait,” Mr. Marcos said
Education will again receive the largest allocation at more than P1.34 trillion, which the President said would fund teacher hiring and promotions and classroom construction nationwide.
The health sector budget was placed at P448.125 billion, the largest on record, including P1 billion for the Department of Health’s universal health care fund to support a zero-balance billing program in local government hospitals.
Nearly P129.8 billion was allotted for PhilHealth, including P60 billion restored in line with a Supreme Court ruling, to improve benefit packages and lower out-of-pocket costs.
The agriculture sector will get more than P297 billion, including funding for farm-to-market roads and programs supporting farmers and fisherfolk.
More than P270 billion was earmarked for social services to strengthen safety nets and reduce poverty, which the administration aims to bring to single digits by 2028.
The budget also covers the updated base pay schedule and increased subsistence allowance of military and uniformed personnel.
For his part, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the signing of the budget “removes uncertainty and clearly affirms our collective resolve to advance the country’s development agenda.”
“Despite necessary realignments, the approved budget remains fully capable of delivering our economic and social objectives…The 2026 National Budget reinforces our commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent fiscal stewardship. We are ensuring that every peso delivers measurable impact and tangible improvements in people’s lives,” Balisacan said.
Congress leaders expressed support for the President’s decision to veto P92.5 billion worth of unprogrammed appropriations.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the proposed 2026 budget was already the “cleanest ever,” but the President wanted it “squeaky clean.”
“Sometimes in legislation, you have to give way, which is why the budget is clean, but President Marcos wants it even cleaner,” Sotto said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said the UA items retained in the budget are necessary “as our commitments to our economic development and national security.”
Senator Erwin Tulfo said the veto would help restore public trust in government spending.
“This is what we need, a budget that will restore the public’s trust to the government. We are grateful that the President heeded our call to limit the use of unprogrammed appropriations,” Tulfo said.
Speaker Faustino Dy III hailed the 2026 GAA as a genuine “People’s Budget” as he vowed strict congressional oversight to ensure public funds are spent lawfully, efficiently, and without corruption.
“The signing of the budget is not the end of our work. It is the start of oversight. Congress will make sure every peso is spent exactly as approved,” Dy said.
