Reenacted budget ‘possible’ in first week of January, Sotto says

THE government may have to operate on a reenacted budget in the first week of January, a Senate leader said on Monday, as Congress plans to ratify the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 on Dec. 29, giving the President just two days to meet the year-end target.

“There is a possibility that if they have started reviewing and then on the 29^th, we ratify an enrolled bill, there is a possibility for signing by 30 or 31,” Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III told reporters on the sidelines of Monday’s session. “But if it’s not complete, it’s definitely possible by the first week of January.”

The House of Representatives and the Senate on Monday approved separate resolutions extending the congressional calendar to pave the way for the ratification of the bicameral conference report on the 2026 spending plan on Dec. 29.

Mr. Sotto said he will not allow the “blind ratification” of the 2026 national budget, following concerns over opaque budget allocations and congressional insertions.

“I don’t want a summary. I don’t want blind ratification like what happened last year. As far as I’m concerned,” he said.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who heads the Senate Finance Committee, said that the additional time will allow for the printing of the draft enrolled bill of the national spending plan.

“Our direction is to print the draft enrolled bill, share it with the bicam conferees as well as other senators,” he told senators.   

Lawmakers, last Thursday, reconciled disagreeing provisions of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill after six days of deliberations.

Mr. Gatchalian said that Congress is aiming to sign the draft enrolled bill and the bicameral conference committee report on the national budget by Dec. 28. 

House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos III explained the additional time is required to complete the preparation and ratification on the conference committee report on General Appropriations Bill for next year.

“The ratification of the said committee report is imperative to ensure the continuity of government operations and the faithful implementation of the national budget for the ensuing fiscal year,” he added.

This, however, gives the Executive a short window to review the budget to meet the year-end target, otherwise next year’s appropriations will automatically revert to the 2025 budget.

Malacañang earlier called on Congress to hasten the passage of the proposed 2026 national budget, noting that the President is opposed to a reenacted budget. — Adrian H. Halili