Another ICI commissioner resigns 

Independent Commission for Infrastructure Commissioner Rossana Fajardo resigned from her post. She confirmed this in a statement on Friday, December 26. 

“I believe that the investigative and prosecutorial responsibilities will now transition to other agencies, such as the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman, which are better positioned to ensure accountability for contractors and government officials.” Fajardo said. @here

Here's the full statement

This commission indeed is in ICU! Good morning and a happy Christmas to everyone! https://www.rappler.com/voices/editorials/ici-in-icu-resignation-babes-singson-filipino-version/

The House and the Senate delegates to the bicameral conference committee on the 2026 national budget sign the conference committee report this Sunday afternoon, December 28.

This marks the end of the bicam deliberations. Both chambers will separately ratify the proposed budget document on Monday, December 29, before President Marcos signs it in the first week of January.

"Ito pong budget na ito ay pinaghirapang buuuin ng Kongreso at Senado, at ginawa namin ang lahat para ito ay maging transparent, accountable," House appropriations chair Mika Suansing said.

"Ito po ay kauna-unahang gagawin natin na ang reconciled enrolled copy ay naimprenta na, naipakita na sa ating mga kasamahan para po makita rin nila ang ating pinag-usapan," Senate finance committee chair Win Gatchalian added. "Itong reconciled version ay ia-upload pagtapos ma-ratify bukas... sa ating transparency portals."

Last-minute appeals from government agencies — such as the DOTR, DPWH, and DA — plagued the bicam. It also approved unprogrammed funds worth P243 billion.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the 2026 budget into law — it's the first budget to be signed this late. Marcos has, in the past, signed the budget before the previous fiscal year's end.

He says: "Today we commence with the most difficult task — to ensure the proper execution and instituting true accountability."

For reference, the bicam agreed to allocate P243 billion for unprogrammed appropriations https://www.rappler.com/philippines/bicam-approves-unprogrammed-appropriations-budget-2026/?_thumbnail_id=3100078

Under the Marcos administration, unprogrammed appropriations have surged. In the first approved budget of his term in 2023, the UA reached P807.16 billion, more than triple the P251.64 billion in 2022. The amount stood at P731.4 billion in 2024 and P531.7 billion in 2025.

In press briefing, Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto there were 10 items under unprogrammed appropriations, of which three* were vetoed by President Marcos. UA items that were NOT vetoed include: support for foreign assistance, AFP modernization, risk management (for PPPs).

Which items were vetoed — and which stayed — in the 2026 unprogrammed appropriations

Retained:

1. Support for foreign-assisted projects

2. Revised AFP Modernization Program

3. Risk Management Program

Vetoed:

1. Budgetary support to government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs)

2. Fiscal support arrearages under the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program

3. Comprehensive insurance coverage for strategically important government assets and interests

4. Revitalizing the Automotive Industry for Competitiveness Enhancement (RACE) Program

5. Philippine government counterpart funding for foreign-assisted projects

6. Public health emergency benefits and allowances for healthcare and non-healthcare workers

7. Prior-years’ local government unit (LGU) shares

The following items, meanwhile, were removed during the bicam deliberations. (Editor’s note: Rappler previously mentioned that the following items were vetoed by the President. This has been corrected.)

1. SAGIP

2. Refund of the Service Development Fee for the Right to Develop the Nampeidai Property in Tokyo, Japan

3. Marawi siege victims’ compensation program

Will Malacañang appoint new ICI commissioners after the resignation of ex-public works secretary Babes Singson and Rossana Fajardo?

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said that there’s no information yet from the Palace. She said that the work of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure will continue. 

Andres Reyes is the ICI chairman is left as the lone commissioner.