Photo credit: Congress PH

Leaders of the country’s major political parties in the House of Representatives have called for the return of the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), stressing the need for a budget that is transparent, well-prepared, and free from corruption.

Deputy Speaker Ronaldo V. Puno (National Unity Party), Deputy Speaker Janette Garin (Lakas-CMD), Deputy Speaker Yevgeny Vincente Emano (Nationalista Party), Committee on Agriculture Chairperson Wilfrido Mark Enverga (Nationalist People’s Coalition), Committee on Tourism Chairperson Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Nationalista Party), Committee on Public Order and Safety Chairperson Rolando Valeriano (Nationalista Party), and Committee on Energy Chairperson Jose C. Alvarez (Nationalist People’s Coalition) presented their collective stand.

While acknowledging the DBM’s primary role in preparing the NEP, the lawmakers underscored that Congress cannot move forward with deliberations on a spending plan that, in their view, requires extensive revisions. They said it would be more prudent for the DBM to address the questioned items before submitting the proposal to the legislative process.

The House leaders explained that their recommendation also shields Congress from perceptions that it is altering large portions of the budget through errata. By letting the DBM revise and resubmit the proposal, they said, the process will ensure that the budget under consideration reflects careful planning and accountability from the executive branch.