Business groups urge Congress to remove unsupported projects from 2027 budget

Last updated: October 29, 2026 | 19:18

House members stand as Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (R) arrives to deliver his speech during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Metro Manila on July 27, 2026. AFP-JAM STA ROSA

Manila: Filipino business leaders are raising the alarm.

They say the House of Representatives-approved 2027 budget amounting to ₱7.2-trillion ($383.47 billion ) carries “deeply troubling” trillion-peso insertions.

Lawmakers, including the president's own son Sandro, are apparently sidelining President Marcos Jr.’s development agenda and diverting calamity funds meant for the public toward their own pet projects.

It includes scrapping funding earmarked to build the Manila Subway , which has so far hit roughly 60% progress.

Filipino congressmen are now facing a backlash.

Budget watchdogs employing line-by-line scrutiny of the General Appropriation…