MANILA — The bicameral conference committee has completed deliberations on the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, removing the possibility of a reenacted General Appropriations Act and clearing the way for the budget’s timely enactment.

House Committee on Appropriations Chair and Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing and Senate Committee on Finance Chair Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, the co-chairs of the bicameral conference committee on the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), gave the assurance early Thursday morning after the final bicam meeting.

Facing the media, Suansing said, “we can now confidently say, ngayong tapos na ang bicam, there will be no re-enacted budget.”

Both lawmakers said the bicameral panel worked overtime over the past several days to meet constitutional deadlines and ensure the continuity of government operations and public services.

Suansing said the timeline was structured to allow the executive branch enough time to review the budget before it is signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. before the end of the year.

“We just want to give the assurance that the executive has enough time to review,” Suansing said.

She added that the bicam panel coordinated closely with the Department of Budget and Management to transmit finalized agency items, allowing the executive review to proceed in parallel with the completion of the enrolled GAB.

Gatchalian said the signing and ratification schedule was adjusted to allow time for reconciliation, balancing, and printing of the bicameral report. He said the bicam report is expected to be signed on Dec. 28, ratified by both chambers on Dec. 29, and signed into law by the President on the same day.

Suansing rejected claims that the bicam outcome was the result of concessions between the House and the Senate.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a House concession. We’ve been working together very hard over the past few days to get to a budget that both Houses will be proud of,” she said.

“So again, we want to make sure that we have a budget that the Filipino people can trust,” Suansing added.

Gatchalian said the 2026 GAB contains safeguards aimed at preventing issues encountered in previous budgets.

“Well, ang importante rito na lahat ng safeguards nandito sa budget na ito,” he said. “So hindi na maulit ang flood control, hindi na maulit ‘yung mga ghost projects, hindi na maulit ‘yung hindi mahanap na project or substandard.“

He said projects are now clearly identified to strengthen transparency and accountability, adding, “Ang importante rito lahat ‘yun pupunta sa tao. Ang tao makikinabang doon.”

Both bicam chairs expressed confidence that the President will sign the 2026 GAB, citing close coordination with government agencies and the executive branch throughout the process.

“Ako, I’m confident na walang mabi-veto. Very confident,” Gatchalian said.

Suansing agreed, saying no items were removed or inserted without proper coordination.

“We also don’t put in items in the budgets of agencies without the approval of the head of agency and the agency itself,” she said.