The Senate has ratified the ₱6.793 trillion-peso 2026 national budget on Monday, December 29.
Senators JV Ejercito and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson voted “Yes with Reservation” due to the large amount allocated for medical assistance for indigents and financially incapacitated patients (MAIFIP), according to RH 28 Raymund Dadpaas’ report.
While he voted in favor of the bill, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan also expressed his reservations about authorizing the Department of Agriculture (DA) to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the implementation of farm-to-market infrastructure.
Sen. Loren Legarda also had reservations about the government’s failure to remit PhilHealth revenues, impairing the Universal Healthcare Act and delaying “institutionally-guaranteed zero out-of-pocket care.”
In addition, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who approved of the Bicam version of the bill, said she had “serious reservations” about unprogrammed appropriations.
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta voted against the ratification of the bill, saying that the Senate’s efforts to devise an improved budget relative to this year’s version were undone during the bicameral conference deliberations. He added that, despite having poured billions into short-term assistance for the poor, “ayuda” has not lifted Filipinos out of poverty.
Sen. Robinhood Padilla pointed out when he explained his “No” vote that there were a number of unclear allocations, particularly those for assistance, the budget was “Manila-centric,” with Mindanao only receiving 15 percent of it, and that the funds allotted for indigenous communities were insufficient, leading to conflict, rebellion, and terrorism.
Dadpaas reported that Senator Ejercito praised Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian’s work as chair of the Committee on Finance, describing him as “married” to his passion for public service.
“First I recognize the serious and tireless effort of our hardworking chairperson of the Committee on Finance, Senator Win Gatchalian, to ensure a transparent and reform-oriented budget. He ensured that every stage of the budget deliberations was not only thorough but open, inclusive and accessible to all,” he said.
“Kahit po Noche Buena na, gusto pa rin niyang magtrabaho, umiiwas po ata sa mga inaanak,” he joked.
The upper chamber of Congress signed the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) on Sunday, December 28. It has now been sent to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for signing.
