September 3, 2025 – Manila
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct a sweeping review of the agency’s proposed 2026 budget following concerns about questionable programs.
The order came after Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno and Marikina Representative Marcelino Teodoro revealed that certain projects had been irregularly inserted into the 2026 National Expenditure Program.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President wants to ensure that any questionable insertions are removed through errata. She added that Marcos is determined to guarantee transparency and accountability in the DPWH budget.
The President also emphasized that projects included in the 2026 national budget must directly benefit the Filipino people.
Castro expressed confidence that Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon will act swiftly on the directive, especially with budget deliberations in the House Appropriations Committee already underway.
