Manila: Congress still has enough time to deliberate on the proposed 2026 national budget and pass it on time, Malacañang said Wednesday. This statement aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s stance against a reenacted budget, as conveyed by Palace Press Officer Clarie Castro. According to Philippines News Agency, Castro emphasized the President's preference for avoiding a reenacted budget, stating, "Ang nais po talaga ng Pangulo ay hindi magkaroon ng reenacted budget. At hindi pa naman po natatapos ang Disyembre. December 17 pa lang po at sa tingin po ng Pangulo ay may sapat pang panahon para aralin ito (What the President really wants is to avoid a reenacted budget. December is not over yet. It's only December 17, and the President believes there is still enough time to study this)." The statement was made following Sen. Panfilo Lacson's expression of preference for a reenacted budget in 2026 over a potentially "unchecked, corruption-conducive and graft-ridden" General Appropriations Act for the c oming year. Castro expressed confidence that lawmakers would pass a "good budget" on time. "I don't want to mention any lesser evil. I will mention a good option. Ang good option, aralin mabuti. Hindi pa po tapos ang Disyembre (The good option, study it carefully. December is not over yet)," she noted, emphasizing the importance of thorough deliberation. On Tuesday, Castro warned about potential delays in numerous government projects if the proposed 2026 national budget is not approved on time. The government aims to avoid a reenacted budget, which would require agencies to operate on the previous year's budget due to Congress's failure to pass the General Appropriations Act (GAA) on time. Marcos has consistently highlighted the importance of a "good budget," which is well-studied and devoid of corruption risks, to ensure the effective implementation of government projects and services.