PBBM: Cabinet feels ‘unjustly beleaguered’ amid budget row

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

In his departure statement before leaving for a state visit to Cambodia, Marcos acknowledged the tensions but urged officials to remain calm. (PCO Photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday expressed support for his Cabinet, saying he understands why the officials feel “unjustly beleaguered” amid criticisms from Congress over the proposed 2026 national budget.

In his departure statement before leaving for a state visit to Cambodia, Marcos acknowledged the tensions but urged officials to remain calm.

“I hope, lumamig na ‘yung mga ulo ninyo (I hope you have cooled down). But I will have to just say that I perfectly understand why you are feeling a little unjustly beleaguered,” Marcos said in his departure message at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin later told reporters that the Palace is unfazed by the tensions, reiterating that the Executive is not “angry” with Congress but takes issue with calls to return the National Expenditure Program (NEP), which he described as “unprecedented and not in the constitutional order.”

House party leaders earlier proposed to send the NEP back to the Department of Budget and Management after identifying problems afflicting the Department of Public Works and Highways, currently in hot water due to alleged anomalies in multibillion-peso flood control projects.

Bersamin said Malacañang does not anticipate a reenacted budget, calling it “counterproductive.” He stressed that Marcos has “a sound economic sense” and wants the budget process to move forward.

“We always want the country to move forward, not to go back or slow down,” he said.

Budget deliberations for the Office of the President will begin Monday, with Bersamin assuring lawmakers of the administration’s full cooperation.