PALACE Press Officer Claire Castro yesterday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would not physically sit in during the bicameral meeting on the 2026 national budget, but would closely monitor the deliberations to prevent and address possible problems that may arise.
“Literally, he will not definitely sit during the bicam meeting. This is just an expression to show to the people that he will keep an eye on the national budget for 2026,’’ Castro said in a briefing in Malacañang.
Castro said the President wants to ensure that next year’s budget would be based on the priorities of the government.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman the other day said Marcos would personally monitor the entire 2026 national budget process to ensure that it would be aligned with government priorities.
She also said the President would sit in during the bicameral meetings, if the need arises.
The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) is scheduled to meet on May 26 to finalize and announce the official budget ceiling.
