Gatchalian vows ‘good budget’ for PBBM; no reenacted GAA ~ HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTIONS

Friday, December 12, 2025

Gatchalian vows ‘good budget’ for PBBM; no reenacted GAA

Friday, December 12, 2025 Herbert Curia - Promoter No comments

From the Website of PNA
links:https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1265100

Gatchalian vows ‘good budget’ for PBBM; no reenacted GAA

MANILA – Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday said the Senate is poised to fulfill President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Christmas wish for a “good budget,” assuring that the chamber remains on track to pass the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) on time despite adjustments in the bicameral conference schedule.

Marcos, in his newly released BBM Podcast Episode 6, said he wished for two things this Christmas season: more time with his family and a favorable national budget for next year.

When asked what tangible gift he hopes for, the President replied, “That the legislature will provide us a good budget.”

Gatchalian said the Senate’s version of the spending plan reflects that expectation, noting that it strengthens transparency, eliminates opportunities for ghost projects and expands critical services such as free hospital care and additional classrooms.

“Yan naman ang magiging Christmas gift ko sa kanya — na magandang budget na hindi na magkakaroon ng ghost project, budget na alam niya kung nasaan yung project, budget na ang mga kababayan natin pwede nang pumunta sa mga government hospital libre, walang nang babayaran, at more classrooms and more education support (That will be my Christmas gift to him — a good budget without ghost projects, a budget where he knows exactly where each project is located, a budget that allows Filipinos to go to government hospitals for free without paying anything, and a budget with more classrooms and more education support),” he said in a virtual press briefing.

He explained that the Senate is prepared to extend bicameral sessions if necessary, adding that the Dec. 22 ratification schedule still provides ample time to reconcile provisions and complete the printing of the budget books.

He said the longer process this year was intentional, driven by the chamber’s push for improved transparency and more thorough documentation.

Gatchalian also emphasized that the Senate will not approve any vague or unspecified funding lines, noting that this safeguard is essential to preventing misuse of public funds.

“Ako, I can assure you na hindi tayo pipirma ng blangko, that is my responsibility at hindi tayo pipirma ng blangko (I can assure you that we will not sign a blank budget; that is my responsibility, and we will never sign a blank document),” he said.

He added that stricter project identification, clearer documentation and enhanced review protocols in the Senate version are intended to ensure better accountability and prevent the irregularities uncovered in previous budget cycles.

The bicameral conference committee is set to convene on Saturday to finalize the 2026 national budget ahead of congressional ratification. (PNA)

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