MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has vetoed several items under the Unprogrammed Appropriations (UA) totaling nearly ₱92.5 billion in the 2026 national budget, stressing that such funds must not be treated as discretionary spending.

Marcos announced the veto on Monday during the signing of the ₱6.793-trillion 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), saying the move was meant to ensure public funds are spent strictly in line with national priorities.

“To ensure that public funds are expended in clear service of national interests, I vetoed several items of appropriations with their purposes and corresponding Special Provisions under the UA, totaling almost ₱92.5 billion,” the President said.

He acknowledged Congress’ move to limit unprogrammed funds to essential needs but said he further pared them down to what he described as the lowest level since 2019.

“Let me be clear: the Unprogrammed Appropriations are not blank checks. We will not allow the Unprogrammed Appropriations to be misused or treated as a backdoor for discretionary spending,” Marcos said.

The President emphasized that the release of UA funds would be subject to strict safeguards and allowed only when clearly defined conditions are met and validated.

“Utilization is provided with safeguards and is only available when clearly defined triggers and tests are met and will be released only after careful validation,” he said, adding that the rules would be enforced “without exception.”

Marcos also pledged transparency in the release of unprogrammed funds, saying the government would disclose details on funding sources and intended purposes.

“We will make releases charged from the UA transparent, providing the necessary details on the funding source and the corresponding purpose,” he said.

The President directed all government agencies to observe prudent fiscal management to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of public services.

“Dama po namin ang inyong agam-agam at pangamba sa nakaraang budget. Kaisa ninyo ako sa pagnanais na masigurong ang bawat pisong buwis ay napupunta sa tamang proyekto at sa tunay na pangangailangan ng ating taumbayan,” Marcos said.

“Naririnig namin po kayo,” he added.