Manila: Malaca±ang on Thursday called on government agencies to revisit their respective spending plans for 2026 to check for any possible budget insertions. In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said other agencies should take the initiative to review their budget proposals in the 2026 National Expenditure Program to correct any discrepancies and prevent insertions.

According to Philippines News Agency, the call was made a day after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered the sweeping review of the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) proposed 2026 budget to make the necessary corrections, following concerns over double entries and insertions of projects. Castro emphasized that it would be beneficial for other agencies to examine their submitted reports to ensure that no unauthorized insertions have been made in their proposals.

Castro mentioned that if inconsistencies were discovered, Marcos would also order a review of the spending plans of other government agencies. She stated the importance of identifying errors early on to rectify the budget, while also respecting the leadership of the House of Representatives and ensuring that any actions taken comply with the Constitution.

The House of Representatives party leadership, led by House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno, on Wednesday sought to return the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) due to concerns about duplicate funding and insertions in the budget proposals of the DPWH and other agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine National Police.

DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon committed to completing the budget review within a two-week timeline, assuring that any necessary changes would be communicated to Congress through errata.