Palace sees no 'pork' in 2026 nat'l budget

Malacañang on Monday insisted that the P6.97-trillion national budget for 2026 is “pork-free,” amid concerns from some lawmakers and civil society groups that it is allegedly marred by “grilled pork” or discretionary funds embedded in various items.

In a Palace briefing, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said that the executive branch will strictly implement provisions of the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), including one that prohibits politicians from participating in the distribution of cash assistance (ayuda) programs.

“Ang tingin namin pork barrel–free. Hindi naman puwedeng makialam ang legislators pagdating sa execution ng budget. Purely executive function na ’yan,” Recto told reporters.

(We believe it is pork–barrel–free because legislators cannot execute the budget. That is purely an executive function.)

Some lawmakers earlier flagged the proposed P3.793 trillion budget, claiming it contained “grilled pork” or discretionary funds in bits and pieces. Others said it lacked substantial allocations for genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization.

House members belonging to the progressive Makabayan bloc said the 2026 GAA is riddled with multiple forms of pork barrel, including “presidential pork,” “vice-presidential pork,” “allocables,” “hard pork,” “soft pork,” “generals’ pork,” and its supposed newest variant, “LGU (local government unit) pork.”

They noted that the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) was increased by P41.87 billion or from P16 billion in the National Expenditure Program to P57.87 billion in the Bicam-approved budget.

The financial assistance to LGUs, on the other hand, ballooned from P5 billion to P37.5 billion. Likewise, they cited that the Growth Equity Fund jumped from P1 billion to P11.3 billion — both lump-sum funds.

Critics allege that some lawmakers—particularly those from political dynasties—use local government units (LGUs) as “parking areas” for pork barrel funds, especially in provinces, cities, or towns controlled by their family members.

In a 2013 ruling, the Supreme Court declared pork barrel as unconstitutional as it supposedly violates budget principles by allowing lawmakers to use the budget as discretionary fund.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in signing the 2026 GAA, said the government would “strictly implement” provisions prohibiting politicians from distributing cash and other forms of financial assistance.

“Kung ’di ako nagkakamali, may special provision o general provision sa budget na bawal ang mga politiko sa actual disbursement o pamimigay nito sa mga kababayan natin. Susundan natin ’yung guidelines na ’yan under the GAA of 2026,” Recto said.

(As far as I know, there is a special or general provision in the budget that bars politicians from participating in the actual disbursement of cash assistance. We will follow those guidelines under the 2026 GAA.)

An “anti-epal” special provision was reportedly included in the law to prevent politicians from using government programs, projects, or funds to promote themselves.

“Epal” is Filipino slang for someone who seeks attention or inserts themselves unnecessarily, especially in a self-serving way. In politics, it often refers to officials who take credit for government projects to boost their public image or electoral appeal.

Section 19 of the enrolled copy of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) provides that all cash assistance and other forms of financial aid shall be distributed exclusively by authorized government officers and personnel or accredited partners.

Public officials holding elective positions, electoral candidates, politicians, political parties, or their representatives—except those with direct administrative and executive authority over the implementing agency—are prohibited from influencing, being present at, participating in, or taking part in the actual distribution of any cash assistance or other forms of financial aid.—MCG, GMA Integrated News