The Makabayan Coalition did not mince words in criticizing the proposed 2026 national budget under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., describing it as still riddled with pork barrel allocations that could fuel corruption and patronage politics.

“Patunay ito na hindi seryoso ang panawagang kontra-korapsyon ni Marcos Jr., dahil ang mga sources of corruption ay nananatili sa kabila ng nalantad nang garapalang pagnanakaw,” the coalition said.

Based on its initial assessment, the group estimated that around P695.78 billion in the proposed 2026 budget is allocated to what it described as presidential, congressional, and Senate pork.

Following the recent bicameral conference committee deliberations, the coalition said lawmakers retained P243 billion in Unprogrammed Appropriations (UA).

“Ito ay kahit nalantad na sa publiko ang pang-aabuso ng administrasyong Marcos Jr. sa UA para pondohan ang 3,700 infrastructure projects na nagkakahalaga ng P214.4 billion noong 2023 at 2024,” it said.

The group noted that the House approved P243.22 billion in UA, while the Senate proposed P174.56 billion, both lower than the P249.99 billion proposed under the National Expenditure Program (NEP). However, the bicameral version—P243.40 billion—was slightly higher than both chamber versions.

Makabayan also cited figures allegedly showing that around P230 million in allocable funds were intended for individual congressmen, P3.2 billion for senators, and P24.6 billion for congressional leadership.

Despite the removal of flood control projects from the 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the coalition warned that kickbacks could still occur through other lawmaker-nominated infrastructure projects, such as farm-to-market roads, school buildings, and Super Health Centers.

Based on its data, the bicameral committee proposed allocations of P33 billion for farm-to-market roads, P85 billion for basic education facilities, and P22 billion for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program.

The group also pointed out that despite a nearly 40-percent reduction from its original NEP allocation of P880 billion, the DPWH budget remains sizable at P529 billion for 2026.

Makabayan further claimed that local government units (LGUs) continue to benefit from pork-like mechanisms, citing P37 billion in financial assistance to LGUs included in the bicameral proposal.

“Kung pagbabatayan ang kasalukuyang guidelines para sa Financial Assistance to LGUs, makikita na kahalintulad nito ang allocables ng mga kongresista at senador,” the group said.

Citing Department of Budget and Management Local Budget Circular No. 161, series of 2025, Makabayan said allocations include P50 million per governor, P50 million per city mayor, P20 million per municipal mayor, and P5 million per barangay captain.

The coalition also flagged the proposed P18.01-billion budget for the 2026 ASEAN Summit, noting that around P17.55 billion, or 97 percent, would be placed under the Office of the President.

Despite what it described as “remaining corruption” in the 2026 budget, Makabayan said a reenacted 2025 budget is not a solution.

“Kapag na-reenact ang kasalukuyang budget, matatransporma ang napakalaking bahagi ng 2025 GAA bilang presidential pork dahil ide-deklarang ‘savings’ ang pondo ng mga natapos nang programa at proyekto,” the group warned.

“Halimbawa, kung mare-enact ang 2025 DPWH budget, ang buong P1.05-trillion capital outlay nito ay ituturing na savings at maaari nang gamitin ng Pangulo sa anumang programang nanaisin niya,” it added.