Manila: The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) has approved the proposed timeline for the passage of the 2026 national budget plan, Malaca±ang announced on Tuesday. This decision was made during a meeting at Malaca±an Palace in Manila, where legislative priorities were discussed, as shared by Palace Press Officer Claire Castro with Palace reporters.

According to Philippines News Agency, the LEDAC meeting saw the agreement on timelines for the passage of the General Appropriations Bill and the submission of the enrolled bill for the President's signature. Key congressional leaders, including Senate President Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Faustino Dy III, and House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander 'Sandro' Marcos, were present to deliberate on these matters.

The Senate initiated the period of amendments for House Bill 4058, or the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act, on December 2. This marks one of the final stages before the Senate finalizes its version of the upcoming year's national budget. The proposed PHP6.793-trillion budget for 2026 aligns with the Medium-Term Fiscal Program, aiming to gradually reduce deficit and debt while fostering job creation and reducing poverty to single digits by the end of President Marcos' term.

On December 4, Malaca±ang expressed its hope that Congress would expedite the passage of the proposed 2026 national budget. The Palace warned that reliance on a reenacted 2025 appropriations could present challenges to government operations. A reenacted budget implies the continuation of the previous year's appropriations when a new budget is not enacted on time.