P6.793 TRILLION 2026 NATIONAL BUDGET GETS SENATE NOD

The Senate on Tuesday approved the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for next year.

With 17 affirmative votes, no negative votes and zero abstention, senators approved House Bill No. 4058 or the General Appropriations Act of 2026 on third and final reading.

Those who voted in favor of the 2026 GAA were Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros, Sen. Joel Villanueva, Sen. Lito Lapid, Sen. Bong Go, Sen. Francis Escudero, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Sen. Bam Aquino, Sen. Jinngoy Estrada, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, Sen. Loren Legarda, Sen. Robin Padilla, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, and Sen. Erwin Tulfo.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, described the proposed 2026 national budget as people-centered budget that champions transparency and accountability.  

He said that in the Senate version, the Department of Education (DepEd) remains the government agency with the highest budget, with P1.37 trillion for 2026.

The proposed national budget next year will also strengthen the zero balance billing program of hospitals under the Department of Health (DOH), which will receive P62.66 billion in allocations.

Meanwhile, the Senate reduced the budget for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for 2026 to P570.48 billion from the P624.48 billion in the  House version.

The bicameral meetings between members of the Senate and the House of Representatives are set to be held on December 11 to 13.

The signing of the 2026 GAA by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr  is targeted to be on December 29.