MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday called on lawmakers to hasten the deliberations on the proposed 2026 national budget to prevent the government from operating under a reenacted spending plan.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. does not want a reenacted budget, noting the limited time left for Congress to finalize the spending measure.

“Ayaw ng Pangulo ng reenacted budget, alam po natin iyan. So, hangga’t maaari bilisan natin. Kahit kapos ang panahon, sana po mas mapabilis natin,” Castro said in a Palace briefing.

Her statement comes as Congress races to pass the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) before the year ends.

Senator Win Gatchalian, chair of the Senate finance committee, earlier said the Senate remains on track to approve the budget despite delays caused by a fire that hit parts of the Senate building over the weekend.

The proposed budget is currently in the period of amendments, with the Senate scheduled to vote on third and final reading on December 9.

Once approved, senators will have one week to finalize their documents in preparation for the bicameral conference committee, where they will reconcile their version of the budget with that of the House of Representatives.