President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will “keep an eye” on the proposed 2026 national budget to ensure that it includes the priorities of the current administration, Malacañang said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the earlier pronouncement about Marcos sitting as observer in the bicameral budget deliberations on the proposed budget for 2026 should not be taken literally.

“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.

“The budget should be based on the priorities of the government and it should prioritize the shovel-ready projects of the government.”

Castro expressed optimism that there would be no issues raised to ensure the smooth and swift passage of the proposed 2026 budget.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Tuesday said Marcos had expressed willingness to join the bicameral conference committee’s budget deliberations on the proposed 2026 national budget, if needed.

This, as Pangandaman said Marcos wanted to make sure that the proposed 2026 national budget only includes “shovel-ready projects.”

Senator-elect Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday welcomed Marcos’ plan, saying it will send a strong signal to Congress “not to make a mockery of our role in the budget process.”

The national government’s budget for 2026 could reach PHP6.793 trillion, Pangandaman earlier said.

The Department of Budget and Management on Monday said the government agencies’ budget proposals for 2026 have reached PHP11 trillion, higher than the PHP9 trillion in funding requests for 2025. (PNA)