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MANILA, PHILIPPINES — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dismissed any possibility of returning the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to the Executive branch amid allegations of insertions and controversies surrounding flood control projects.

Marcos, in the latest episode of his "BBM Podcast," insisted that only a “review and rewrite” of the proposed budget, particularly that of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) could be done and resubmitted to Congress.

Marcos thumbs down return of proposed 2026 budget to Malacañang

“No, it's not a possibility. The only thing to look at is the DPWH. Unilaterally, from our end and the executive, I already instructed the DPWH to review and to rewrite the budget,” he said in reaction to calls being made by several members of the House of Representatives to return the NEP to Malacañang.

“So, we have a commitment to Congress that the rewritten DPWH budget will be submitted to them," he added.

Marcos thumbs down return of proposed 2026 budget to Malacañang

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin assured the Palace’s full cooperation and rectify potential red flags Congress would raise in its budget deliberation.

“If they want us to change some things, we change. We do not have objections. But the main matter here is the NEP should be the guidance not the target of Congress,” Bersamin said.