The 2026 national budget’s purpose and priority is no different from the previous years’ budgets. It still focuses on debt payment, enrichment of bureaucrat capitalists along with their comprador bourgeois cohorts, and squandering funds on the state’s massive fascist machinery.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr submitted his 2026 National Expenditure Program which amounts to ₱6.79 trillion, 7.4% higher compared to the 2025 budget. The largest chunk, more than ₱2 trillion, goes to debt payment. Interest payments alone will have an allocation of ₱950, which is ₱102 billion higher than the current year. Another ₱1.1 trillion is set aside for principal debt repayment. Under Marcos, the Philippines’ debt rose by ₱3.26 trillion, reaching ₱17.27 trillion in June. Worse, Marcos plans to borrow another ₱2.68 trillion to cover the budget deficit.

As in the past, a large portion of the budget, or ₱1.56 trillion, will go to grandiose infrastructure projects, most of them roads and transport systems. These projects fall under the Public-Private Partnership program, now expanded to include the Luzon Economic Corridor, funded by loans from the US and Japan. These grandiose projects are accompanied by massive displacements, livelihood seizures, and environmental destruction.

The infrastructure budget also includes ₱274.9 billion for so-called “flood control” projects. Contrary to Marcos pronouncements those behind these failed projects should “be ashamed,” he continues to pour funds into them. From 2022 to 2025, Marcos allocated ₱545 billion for such projects.

The regime boasts of increased funding for education, health, and housing, yet it remains far too inadequate for these sectors’ needs. The Department of Education’s budget rose by 18.9% to ₱928.52 billion, but nearly all of this will go to a one-time allowance increase that teachers fought for (from ₱5,000 to ₱10,000). No additional budget was allocated to raise salaries to a living wage, to build new classrooms, or to hire more teachers and staff—factors linked to the poor quality of education and the burden faced by teachers, parents, and students. Funding for free college education remains grossly insufficient.

Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense budget increased by 87.9%, from more than ₱378.89 billion in the current year to ₱430.9 billion in 2026. This is nearly 200% higher compared to the ₱221.6 billion allocated in 2022. Instead of expanding funds for basic services, the regime will squander resources on the Armed Forces of the Philippines by repairing military camps for the use of American troops and purchasing military equipment and vehicles. This aligns with the US strategic plan to use the AFP in war preparations against imperialist rival China.

The regime did not abolish and instead strengthened the NTF-Elcac, for which it allocated ₱8.1 billion to fund ₱10 million per “cleared” village under the Barangay Development Program or BDP. This is 314% higher than the agency’s 2025 allocation. Its budget for 2025 was intentionally reduced after congressional hearings exposed that none of the 885 BDP projects had been completed in 2024. Reports abound regarding the BDP’s unfinished roads and inappropriate livelihood projects. Worse, the military used the program to subject barangays to zoning operations, force residents to “surrender,” restrict their means of livelihood, and suppress their rights.

Marcos also did not miss out on his share of the public coffers. He allocated for himself ₱4.6 billion as confidential and intelligence fund (CIF), half of the total CIF in the budget. He also allotted ₱1 billion for foreign trips for himself, his family, and his cronies.