ANALYSIS: A Deeper Look Into the 2026 National Budget

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2026 last Monday, January 5. The budget was passed amidst a backdrop of public outrage and increased scrutiny, brought by the infrastructure corruption scandal stemming from the 2025 national budget. In response to calls for transparency, the bicameral conference committee was livestreamed for the first time, with extended deliberations over public infrastructure allocations and unprogrammed appropriations eventually leading to the budget’s delayed ratification. 

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