Senate opens P6.7-T 2026 budget debate

The Senate has formally received the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 after Senator Win Gatchalian sponsored House Bill 4058, the General Appropriations Act (GAA), before the plenary.

Gatchalian described the spending plan as “more than a purse,” calling it “the single most important reflection of the nation’s priorities.”

“The 2026 budget is 7.4-percent higher than last year’s, or about P467 billion more,” he said, noting that the proposal was crafted using macroeconomic assumptions of the Development Budget Coordination Committee and was aligned with the Philippine Development Plan.

He said the budget should restore the public trust and reflect principled governance. “Progress without integrity is hollow, and integrity without progress is an unfulfilled promise.”

The P6.793-trillion proposal represents 22 percent of GDP and is higher than the P6.326-trillion budget enacted for 2025.

Gatchalian said plenary debates will run for 10 days, from Monday to Friday, starting at 1 p.m.

He reminded senators to formally submit proposed amendments to the Senate finance panel for evaluation, especially those requiring additional funds.

The senator added that the chamber is considering whether to pass a budget slightly lower than the Palace-endorsed total but is still assessing its fiscal soundness.