“We are committing to implement a budget that serves the people.”

Thus President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday signed the PhP6.793 trillion national budget for Fiscal Year 2026, sustaining the momentum in education reform, health protection, food security, social security, and job creation.

During the signing ceremony at Malacañan Palace, President Marcos assured the public that the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) or Republic Act No. 12314 is appropriately aligned with the government’s medium- and long-term development plans and is focused on uplifting the lives of Filipinos.

“The 2026 National Budget shall sustain our momentum in education reform, in health protection, in food security, in social security, and in job creation,” the President added.

As mandated by the Constitution, education received the highest budgetary priority, with the largest allocation of more than PhP1.34 trillion, funding additional teaching and non-teaching plantilla positions in public schools, teacher promotions and reclassification, and classroom construction nationwide.

The health sector was given PhP448.125 billion to support the promotion of Universal Health Care (UHC), including the PhP1 billion budget for the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) Program in local government hospitals, covering in-patient services in basic accommodation. The budget also provides funding for disease surveillance, rapid response mechanisms, and sustainable health financing.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the government’s social health insurance agency, received nearly PhP130 billion, including the PhP60 billion ordered restored in accordance with the Supreme Court’s decision.

“These funds shall support preventive healthcare and the improvement of PhilHealth benefit packages, lowering the out-of-pocket expenses of Filipino families,” the President said.

Meanwhile, the agricultural sector was allotted over PhP297 billion for the modernization of supply systems and support for farmers and fisherfolk, including the establishment of farm-to-market roads that will connect farming communities to economic hubs, lessen transportation costs, and minimize post-harvest losses.

The government will also transform the social protection system by providing it with a budget of more than PhP270 billion, which will be used to enhance the quality of life for Filipinos, safeguard the welfare of all sectors, and foster human capital development.

Through these responsive and rationalized flagship programs, the President said the budget aims to direct the country towards achieving a single-digit poverty rate by 2028.

To uphold the welfare of the country’s defenders and peacemakers, the GAA also supports the implementation of the updated base pay schedule and increased subsistence allowance for military and uniformed personnel.

President Marcos acknowledged that with the approval of the 2026 GAA, the 2025 GAA was deemed reenacted and remained in force and effect until January 4, 2026.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall consider the expenditures lawfully incurred under the reenacted budget in formulating its fund release guidelines for FY 2026, the President directed.

The Chief Executive also expressed gratitude to Congress for the “principled exercise of its power of the purse and for the meaningful reforms undertaken to widen participation to strengthen accountability throughout the budget authorization process.” | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday called on Filipinos to welcome the New Year with discipline, confidence, and a shared commitment to national progress and Bagong Pilipinas, urging unity, compassion, and collective purpose as 2026 sets in.

“As we step into the unfolding days ahead, may we move forward with a clearer understanding of our role in each other’s lives and a renewed commitment to building a future shaped not by circumstance done, but by the strength of our will and the clarity of our collective purpose,” the President said in his message.

President Marcos invited Filipinos to pause and take stock of the past year’s experiences, stressing the value of learning from challenges while setting a hopeful direction for the future.

“The coming of another year is always a moment for reflection and renewal. It gives us the opportunity to look back on the year that has passed–its lessons, challenges, and achievements–and to look ahead with hope and purpose to the possibilities that await us,” the President noted.

Highlighting the need for a forward-looking mindset as the country enters a new chapter, President Marcos emphasized the role of personal discipline and collective effort in shaping the nation’s future.

“As we step into 2026, I therefore call on every Filipino to embrace the year with discipline, confidence, and a shared commitment to our nation’s progress. For beyond personal resolutions, the new year calls on us to examine how we live with one another, how we lift one another, and how our choices shape our nation,” the Chief Executive added.

The President reaffirmed the government’s resolve to advance its vision of a more unified and compassionate Bagong Pilipinas, while pointing out the importance of solidarity and moral choice in nation-building.

“A society thrives when its people choose empathy over indifference, service over self-Interest, and hope over despair,” President Marcos emphasized.

“It is thus our commitment in the government to be relentless in pursuing a Bagong Pilipinas that nurtures unity, fosters compassion, and showcases the greatness of our kababayans.” | PND

Sinimulan na ng Ehekutibo ang masusing pagsusuri sa niratipika ng Kongreso na panukalang PhP6.793 trilyong 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) upang matiyak ang integridad nito, disiplina sa pananalapi, at pagkakahanay sa pangangailangan ng sambayanang Pilipino, ayon sa Malacanang.

Sa isang pahayag nitong Martes, sinabi ni Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto na natanggap ng Executive Branch ang niratipikang 2026 GAA noong Disyembre 29, 2025, at kasalukuyang isinasailalim sa masusing pagsusuri na inaasahang tatagal ng halos isang linggo upang matiyak ang integridad at epektibong pagpapatupad nito.

Dagdag pa ni Recto, masusing sinusuri ng Pangulo at ng kanyang grupo ang lahat ng alokasyon at probisyon upang mapag-aralan ang anumang pagbabago mula sa orihinal na isinumiteng National Expenditure Program (NEP).

“We will ensure that the 2026 GAA will satisfy not only the legal and technical requirements but, more importantly, the needs of the Filipino people. This review is expected to take about a week,” sinabi ni Recto.

(“Titiyakin namin na ang 2026 GAA ay makatutugon hindi lamang sa mga legal at teknikal na mga rekisito kundi, higit sa lahat, sa pangangailangan ng sambayanang Pilipino. Inaasahang tatagal ng halos isang linggo ang pagsusuring ito.”)

Sinabi rin ni Recto na mananatiling tuloy-tuloy ang mga serbisyo ng pamahalaan kahit sa ilalim ng panandaliang reenacted budget, at binigyang-diin na layunin ng pagsusuri na mapanatili ang disiplina sa pananalapi at matiyak na makikinabang ang mga Pilipino sa mga proyekto ng pamahalaan.

“The public is assured that a brief period under a reenacted budget will not disrupt government operations. This deliberate review safeguards fiscal discipline and ensures that taxpayers’ hard-earned money is spent wisely and translated into benefits for the Filipino people,” dagdag ng Executive Secretary.

(“Pinagtitibay ng pagsusuring ito ang disiplina sa pananalapi at tinitiyak na ang pinaghirapang buwis ng mamamayan ay magagamit nang tama at maisasalin sa mga benepisyo para sa sambayanang Pilipino. Tinitiyak din sa publiko na ang maikling panahon sa ilalim ng reenacted budget ay hindi makakaapekto sa operasyon ng pamahalaan.”) | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos received Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez in a courtesy call at Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, ahead of her New Year’s Eve performance in Manila.

During the meeting, President Marcos and Sanchez exchanged pleasantries, with the singer sharing reflections on her recent triumph as grand champion of America’s Got Talent 2025. The discussion also touched on Filipino culture and cuisine, as well as Sanchez’s upcoming album and future projects.

The President, the First Lady, Sanchez, and her team spent around 30 minutes in a relaxed conversation. Sanchez, a 30-year-old first-time mother to a two-month-old baby girl, expressed her appreciation to the President and the First Lady for taking the time to meet with her.

President Marcos, in turn, thanked Sanchez for bringing pride to the country through her success on the international stage. In a light moment, he jokingly offered to volunteer as her manager, while the First Lady suggested she explore more provinces during her stay in the Philippines.

Sanchez is set to headline “The Grand Countdown to 2026,” a New Year’s Eve celebration hosted by Newport World Resorts at the Manila Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City. The event marks her first major performance in the Philippines since winning America’s Got Talent and her first homecoming concert following the international competition.

She gave birth to her first child in October 2025, shortly after the conclusion of the talent show.

Sanchez first gained prominence as the runner-up of American Idol Season 11. She has since made several return visits to the Philippines for concerts and major events, including the 2012 American Idols Live! Tour and the 2023 Miss Universe pageant hosted by the country. | PND

“Sa gitna ng sariling pagsubok, hindi niya iniwan ang tungkulin sa bayan. Hanggang kaya, lumalaban. Hanggang sa huli, nagserbisyo.”

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday posthumously conferred the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Cross (Bayani) on the late Maria Susana “Toots” Vasquez Ople, lauding her as a public servant who exemplified integrity, compassion, and service.

Joined by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, members of the Ople family, and government officials, President Marcos led the formal ceremony held at Kalayaan Hall in Malacañan Palace, coinciding with Rizal Day and the fourth founding anniversary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Ople was the first full-fledged DMW Secretary following her appointment in June 2022, and her legacy continues to protect Filipino migrant workers long after her passing, said the President.

“In many ways it could be said that all of us who are doing any kind of work for OFWs around the world are only following the strictures laid out. Siya ang nagsimula nitong lahat… Everything that we are doing now, all of the successes that you see, she laid the groundwork for that,” President Marcos said.

“For many, Secretary Toots is a standard of excellence in public service,” President Marcos said, noting that some public servants never truly leave public service because of the enduring impact of their work.

“So today, in her honor, I join the Ople family and everyone whose lives she has touched in this shared commitment: To champion was what she stood for and to serve with the same passion, with the same integrity, and drive that defined her well-lived life,” the President said.

Ople served at the DMW until her death on August 22, 2023 at age 61.

President Marcos said Ople gave “form and force” to a newly created agency born out of years of migrant advocacy, even as she faced urgent and complex challenges confronting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Under her leadership, the Philippines entered into 42 bilateral labor agreements with 25 countries, reinforcing protection, fairness and respect for migrant workers.

Ople also helped establish the One Repatriation Command Center and the OFW Hospital, and led the launch of the DMW Mobile Application and OFW Pass for faster travel and verification.

“Malinaw ang kanyang paninindigan: tiyakin natin na makatao at makatarungan ang trato sa bawat manggagawang Pilipino sa ibayong dagat,” the President said.

Prior to leading the DMW, Ople held various government posts and became the first Filipino to serve on the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Trust Fund for Victims of Human Rights Trafficking. She also authored two books reflecting her advocacy for migrant welfare and social protection.

“What set her apart was how she worked. She led with empathy, with expertise, and with very, very strong moral clarity,” President Marcos said, noting that Ople continued to serve the country even while privately battling cancer.

The President likened Ople’s patriotism to that of Dr. Jose Rizal, saying she believed love of country is expressed through courage, discipline, and service.

President Marcos added that despite her accomplishments, Ople would have preferred to be remembered simply as a devoted mother, daughter, worker, and friend.

Ople was the daughter of the late Senator and former Labor Secretary Blas F. Ople.

The Order of Lakandula is one of the Senior Honors of the Republic created by virtue of Executive Order No. 236 series of 2003.

It is the Order of Political and Civic Merit of the Republic conferred in commemoration of Datu Lakandula’s dedication to the responsibilities of leadership, prudence, fortitude, courage, and resolve in the service of one’s people.

The Order of Lakandula is conferred by the President of the Philippines. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the annual “Pamaskong Handog Mula sa Pangulo,” thanking supporters who have stood by the Marcos family through the years.

President Marcos together with First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and their children- House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro,” Joseph Simon and William Vincent- hosted the year-end celebration for some 2,000 supporters from Friends of Imelda Romualdez Marcos (FIRM) led by Founding President Artemio Lachica.

“Mabuti naman at kahit papaano ‘yung ating pagsasama na napakatagal na ay hindi naman napapatid at patuloy pa tayong nagkakaisa, patuloy pa tayong nagkikita,” the President said during the activity held at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in Ermita, Manila.

President Marcos said he could always count on the family’s supporters wherever he goes in the country.

The President said their supporters would always occupy a special place in the heart of the Marcos family.

“Kaya maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong tulong. Hindi ko po masusuklian ang inyong napakagandang loob na ipinakita sa amin sa ilang taon na. Siguro labis na sa isang dekada na tayo ay nagsasama,” President Marcos said.

“Asahan po ninyo hindi po kami nakakalimot. Lagi kayo ay nasa isip namin. At mas mahalaga, lagi kayo ay nasa puso namin.” | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the Filipino people’s commemoration of the 129th anniversary of the heroism and martyrdom of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal Monument in Manila.

President Marcos was joined by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and their children, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chair Regalado Trota Jose Jr., Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso, Armed Forces of the Philippines Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Jimmy Larida, Knights of Rizal Supreme Commander Raymundo del Rosario, and other officials and personnel from national government agencies, local government units, uniformed services, civil society organizations, and members of the diplomatic corps.

During the flag-raising and wreath-laying rites at the Rizal Monument, programs were also held simultaneously at the Rizal Shrine in Calamba City, Laguna which is Rizal’s birthplace; the Rizal Shrine in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte; and at various Rizal monuments nationwide.

According to the NHCP, this year’s Rizal Day commemoration with the theme “RIZAL: Sa Pagbangon ng mga Mamamayan, Aral at Diwa Mo ang Tunay na Gabay,” remembers the immortal lessons from the life and works of the national hero in facing new challenges as a nation and people.

With flags flown at half-mast nationwide, the nation mourns the death of one of, if not the most iconic and important heroes of the Malay race.

When Rizal was executed on that fateful December day in 1896, the revolution had swung full force, setting off a sequence of events that eventually led to the nation’s freedom from 333 years of Spanish colonial rule, the NHCP said. ǀ PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday urged Filipinos to draw inspiration from national hero Dr. Jose Rizal by upholding patriotism, truth, and responsible citizenship, as the nation commemorates Rizal Day.

“Let our celebration deepen our resolve to live by the values he embodied: love of country, respect for truth, a tireless pursuit of just reform, and the courage to speak and act for what is right,” President Marcos said in his message.

“May this commemoration inspire every Filipino-especially the youth, whom Rizal so dearly cherished-to pair patriotism with responsible citizenship so that we can be of better service to the country,” the President added.

President Marcos said that Rizal, through his writings and martyrdom, awakened the citizens’ sense of identity and showed that Filipinos deserve dignity, freedom, and the power to determine their own future.

“Today, as Filipinos demand integrity and accountability from its leaders, we look up to his life to provide us with guidance and strength,” the Chief Executive said.

President Marcos added “across all spheres in life, both public and private, may we allow Rizal’s principles to guide the way we live and work for our nation so that in whatever we do, we always choose compassion over indifference and country over personal interests.”

“Let us build a nation where the justice he fought for is realized in the everyday lives of all Filipinos,” President Marcos urged.

“For in every act of integrity and every stand for truth, we keep Dr. Rizal’s dreams alive and bring our shared vision of a Bagong Pilipinas closer to reality,” President Marcos emphasized. ǀ PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s administration has protected the poorest Filipino families by keeping inflation under control and the economy on a strong growth path in 2025.

Inflation, or the rate at which prices of basic goods and services rise as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was cut by more than half from 3.4% in 2024 to just 1.6% from January to November 2025. This continues a downward trend since President Marcos, Jr. assumed office, from 5.8% in 2022 and 6.0% in 2023.

The sustained slowdown reflects the Marcos, Jr. administration’s decisive and coordinated actions to stabilize prices, secure food supply, and protect household purchasing power particularly for rice, which account for the largest share of spending of low-income families.

“To put this in perspective, a 6% inflation rate means that your PHP 100 can buy only about PHP 94 worth of goods and services. But with inflation down to just 1.6% in 2025, that same PHP 100 can now buy about PHP 98.4 worth of goods and services,” Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto explained

“Kaya napakahalaga nito para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino, lalo na ang mga mahihirap. Kapag mababa ang inflation, napapanatili natin na abot-kaya ang mga pangunahing bilihin, lalo na ang pagkain,” he added

Rice prices continue to improve, with the Department of Agriculture (DA), upon President Marcos, Jr.’s directive, delivering on its commitment to bring rice prices down to PHP 20 per kilo or about half the average price in 2022.

As a result, inflation for the bottom 30% income households fell to -0.2% in November 2025, marking the sixth consecutive month of contraction and underscoring how price stabilization efforts are directly benefiting the most vulnerable Filipinos

The country’s low and stable inflation environment has been cited as a key strength by S&P Global Ratings, which recently reaffirmed the Philippines’ ‘BBB+’ high investment-grade rating with a Positive Outlook—a strong vote of confidence in President Marcos’s economic leadership.

Lower prices, combined with a vibrant labor market, are expected to boost domestic demand and consumption, and support the Philippines’ economic growth.

With inflation easing, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has greater policy space to recalibrate interest rates, potentially providing further support to household spending and overall economic activity.

Investment prospects also remain robust as the economic team continues to remove bottlenecks and streamline regulations to attract greater private sector participation. New initiatives and investment opportunities, particularly in agriculture, will soon be announced.

Multilateral institutions remain optimistic about the Philippines’ growth prospects, with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasting a 5% GDP growth, while both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) project expansion at 5.1% for 2025.

This outperforms the 1.6% average growth projection of advanced economies this year, including the United States (2.0%), Japan (1.1%), and the Euro area (1.2%), according to the IMF.

The Philippines’ projected expansion is also higher compared to the 4.2% average growth for ASEAN-5 in 2025. In fact, it is second best among its peers, following Vietnam at 6.5% and higher than Indonesia at 4.9%, Malaysia at 4.5%, Singapore at 2.2%, and Thailand at 2%.

By 2026, the IMF projects the Philippines to be the fastest-growing economy in ASEAN, tied with Vietnam at 5.6% growth.

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The government’s investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects is far from over, Malacanang said on Friday, stressing that the detention of contractor couple, Sarah Discaya and Pacifico Discaya over the Christmas period marks only an early phase of a much broader accountability drive.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Dave Gomez assured the public that the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. would continue efforts to hold to account all individuals involved in irregularities in infrastructure projects.

“The flood control investigation does not end on Dec. 25. It’s only been a little over four months,” said Gomez, referring to the ongoing probe into alleged irregularities and unexplained wealth linked to the Discaya couple and other individuals involved in anomalous projects.

“The Napoles probe took almost a year before people were sent to jail. There will surely be more thrown behind bars in the New Year,” the PCO Secretary noted, referring to graft convict Janet Lim-Napoles.

Napoles was accused of masterminding the pork barrel scam for at least a decade, allegedly using a network of bogus nongovernment organizations to siphon off public funds, involving about P10 billion in lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to ghost projects in exchange for massive kickbacks.

Addressing comparisons between the Discaya couple and figures involved in past corruption scandals, Gomez noted that the scale of the Discayas’ alleged ill-gotten wealth far exceeds previous cases.

“Some quarters are calling the Discaya couple as the new Napoles, but their unexplained wealth is ten times over. Both spent Christmas in detention,” Gomez added.

Sarah Discaya was arrested on December 18 over a PhP96 million ghost flood control project in Davao Occidental and is locked up at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail, while her husband, Pacifico Discaya, is detained at the Senate premises after being cited in contempt by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for inconsistent testimony. | PND