Following the bicameral committee's approval of the P6.793-trillion 2026 General Appropriations Bill, Senate and House leaders signed the conference committee report on Friday at the Philippine International Convention Center. The move paves the way for ratification on Saturday and transmission to President Marcos for approval.
Building on the recent bicameral approval and expressions of confidence from Senate Finance Chair Sherwin Gatchalian, the signing ceremony for the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) conference committee report took place at 4 p.m. on December 27 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. It was led by Gatchalian and House Appropriations Chair Mikaela Angela Suansing, expediting the path to ratification—expected the following day—before sending the bill to Malacañang.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson highlighted safeguards on unprogrammed funds, limited to foreign-assisted projects, local counterparts, and AFP modernization. Speaking on dwIZ, he expressed optimism for ratification based on Senate caucus consensus. "We’ve agreed to put in place enough safeguards," Lacson said, emphasizing ongoing congressional oversight during implementation. He noted the executive's review of questionable items and deferred veto decisions to President Marcos, while supporting a delayed signing in early January to minimize disruptions.
This follows earlier bicameral agreements to restrict controversial items rather than revert to Senate versions, aligning with prior transparency pushes and removals of lump sums like SAGIP to prevent misuse.
