From Inquirer

By Alexia Bangayan

The House of Representatives and the Senate approved the Bicameral Conference Committee (bicam) report on the proposed P6.793-trillion 2026 national budget on Monday, December 29.

The budget was approved through a voice vote during a plenary session that lasted less than two minutes.

The ratified report reflects the revised earlier versions of the budget bills passed by the House and the Senate.

In an interview, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sherwin Gatchalia stated that Senators Ronald ‘‘Bato’’ Dela Rosa, Christopher ‘‘Bong’’ Go, and Imelda ‘‘Imee’’ Marcos did not sign the bicam report.

Gatchalian also noted that Senators Rodante Marcoleta and Robin Padilla — both members of the minority bloc — voted against the ratification.

Marcoleta argued that the bicam adjustments reversed improvements the Senate had previously approved, while Padilla cited “unclear” allocation of funds.

Despite these objections, the Congress proceeded with the approval of the report, which represents the final version of the proposed national budget for the fiscal year. 

The approved budget will be passed on to Malacañang, where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to sign in the first week of January or veto it.

Once enacted, the bill will become the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) of 2026, which will serve as the government’s spending program for the year.

The education, health, and agriculture sectors are among those prioritized under the 2026 GAB.