MANILA, PHILIPPINES — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday expressed his support to members of his Cabinet who he said were being “unjustly beleaguered” by some lawmakers over issues surrounding the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

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Marcos, prior to his departure for his three-day state visit to Cambodia, said he understands the sentiments of Cabinet officials but reminded them to remain calm.

“I hope your heads have cooled. I perfectly understand why you are feeling a little unjustly beleaguered,” he said.

Some members of the House of Representatives earlier floated the possibility of sending the NEP back to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) due to flagged discrepancies particularly with the proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The DPWH is facing criticisms due to the alleged anomalous flood control projects.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, in a chance interview, said that the executive branch “is not angry” with the legislative department but that the plan to send back next year’s proposed budget is “not in the constitutional order.”

“We are not comfortable with it because the executive is (being) put in a bad light. We did not confront anybody, but we just said that we are objecting to the announced proposal of returning the NEP to us. That should not happen,” Bersamin noted.

He expressed confidence that Marcos will not opt for a reenacted budget.

“We have not discussed a reenacted budget. That is counterproductive. The President has sound economic sense. He always wants the country to move forward, not to go back or to slow down. And this is one way of slowing down, if you have a reenacted budget,” Bersamin said.

Marcos expresses support for ‘beleaguered’ Cabinet members

“A budget is one of the instruments of ramping up the economy. You should know that from the point of view of the executive, the President especially, a reenacted budget will not work in our favor,” he added.