By Brian Campued
Malacañang on Tuesday dispelled doubts about alleged delays and cuts in the salary increases, pensions, and retirement benefits of qualified government workers under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which was signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) assurance that funding for all approved pay hikes and benefits for government employees and uniformed personnel have been allocated under the 2026 GAA.
“Mayroon pong gustong linawin ang DBM. May kumakalat na balita na maaantala o maapektuhan daw ang salary increases at retirement benefits ng mga guro, kawani ng gobyerno at uniformed personnel sa 2026 national budget. Hindi po ito totoo. Walang tinanggal na pondo,” Castro said.
Citing DBM’s statement, Castro said that the reported P24-billion “reduction” was not removed nor canceled—but was only transferred to the budgets of concerned agencies to ensure faster release of benefits, especially the increase in subsistence allowance of uniformed personnel.
Further, the DBM emphasized that salary increases of current government employees, whether civilian or uniformed, are already included in their respective agency budgets.
Castro said that mechanisms are in place to ensure that sufficient funds are available for additional personnel under the Miscellaneous and Personnel Benefits Fund in the GAA.
She added that pensions of uniformed personnel will not be affected. While those who will be retiring under optional retirement may be impacted, Castro said this will still go through existing rules and processes.
“Sa madaling sabi, walang binawas na benepisyo—inayos lang ang paglalagay ng pondo para mas maayos ang implementasyon. Mananatiling tutok ang DBM sa kapakanan ng mga lingkod-bayan at sa tapat at responsableng paggamit ng pondo ng bayan,” Castro said.
“Kung ang mga ito po ay magkulang, mayroon pa rin tayong contingent fund na maaaring matakbuhan. Huwag po tayo magpalinlang, ikalat natin ang katotohanan,” she added.
Malacañang stated after ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio flagged the inclusion of a P43.245-billion line item under the Unprogrammed Appropriations (UAs) in the enrolled bill labeled “For Payment of Personnel Services Requirements”.
The said line item was among the P92.5-billion worth of UAs vetoed by the President.
Legality of 2026 budget
Meanwhile, Malacañang expressed confidence that the 2026 national budget can withstand legal scrutiny or constitutionality concerns that may be raised before the Supreme Court.
“Confident sila na ang ginawa ngayon na budget ang pinakamalinis, pinakamaayos, at ito ay para sa taumbayan. So, confident po ang Pangulo,” Castro said.
Castro commented in response to reports that some individuals plan to question the legality of the 2026 GAA, with House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Edgar Erice and Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila De Lima expressing doubts regarding the constitutionality of UAs.
“May karapatan po sila na dumulog sa Korte Suprema at tanungin kung unconstitutional ang parte na ito ng 2026 national budget,” Usec. Castro said.
“Kapag po sila ay nag-file petition, sasagot naman po ang administrasyon at tingnan na lamang po natin kung ano ang magiging resulta at magiging desisyon ng Korte Suprema,” she added.
At the signing of the budget on Monday, Marcos Jr. assured that safeguards will be enforced “without exception to serve the public interest and to advance our national development goals.”
“We will not allow the Unprogrammed Appropriations to be misused or treated as a backdoor for discretionary spending,” the Chief Executive said.
-jpv
