MANILA — The House of Representatives will continue its deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget despite the ongoing impeachment trial in the Senate, House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos said on Monday.

Marcos said the House remains focused on its legislative duties as it prepares to receive the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and begin discussions on the government’s proposed spending plan for next year.

“Wala naman ‘yung impeachment sa Lower House. We will continue doing our job,” Marcos said in an ambush interview.

He noted that since the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte are taking place in the Senate, the House can continue working on the budget and other pending measures.

“So to answer your question, I don’t think it will affect, at least I can only speak on behalf of the Lower House. It will not affect what we have to do and what needs to be done,” Marcos emphasized.

Under the budget process, the Executive branch submits the NEP to Congress as the basis for the General Appropriations Bill (GAB), after which the House Committee on Appropriations reviews the government’s fiscal assumptions and proposed spending before holding agency-level budget hearings.

“As you know, the budget is the single most important piece of legislation for both the House and the Senate,” Marcos noted.

The House leader said he expects the administration to submit the proposed budget in August, allowing lawmakers to immediately begin budget briefings and agency hearings.

“You are right, now we are expecting the NEP to be turned over sometime next month, hopefully not too late, but hopefully the NEP turnover will be sometime in August. Then we can proceed with the budget briefings,” Marcos explained.

Marcos also said the House intends to retain reforms adopted during the previous budget cycle aimed at improving transparency and encouraging greater participation from civil society organizations.

“With regards to the changes that you spoke about, I think marami namang ginawa ang Appro para manigurado that the budget process is much more transparent. We will make sure that different civic groups are involved in the shaping, and the analysis of the budget,” Marcos pointed out.

“So I think we will continue with all the reforms already implemented last year,” Marcos added.