PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is tightening the reins on the release of funds from the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, particularly for new programs and budgetary adjustments introduced during congressional deliberations, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced Friday.
Citing Marcos’ veto message on the Fiscal Year 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the DBM emphasized that no budget will be released automatically or outside the bounds of law and fiscal discipline. This move signals a more cautious approach to budget execution, prioritizing fiscal responsibility and alignment with national priorities.
The President has made it clear that all increases in appropriations and new budgetary items approved by Congress “are subject to conditional implementation.” Funds will be released depending on the national government’s cash programming, adherence to prudent fiscal management, compliance with budget execution rules and procedures, and Presidential approval based on the government’s programmed priorities.
The DBM said that this policy direction reinforces the constitutional principle that while Congress authorizes the budget, the executive branch is responsible for ensuring its lawful, disciplined, and accountable execution, particularly in managing adjustments that may affect fiscal sustainability and national priorities.
Marcos Jr. stated, “I stand firm in my constitutional duty to ensure the faithful execution of laws. Therefore, I hereby condition the implementation of certain provisions in this Act to conform to existing laws, policies, rules, and regulations.”
Several special provisions, such as those related to the Quick Response Fund (QRF), Engineering and Administrative Overhead Expenses, Payment of Retirement Benefits and Pensions, Capacity Development Programs, and Foreign Service Posts, have been placed under conditional implementation. The DBM clarified that “funds for these items will only be released once all legal, procedural, and fiscal requirements are fully satisfied.”
The President has directed the DBM to closely manage the impact of congressional adjustments on agency performance. Agencies affected by new items or increased appropriations will be formally notified of changes in their budgets and required to submit revised performance targets, ensuring that funding increases are matched by measurable outputs and concrete results.
