President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that politicians will be barred from distributing cash and other financial aid under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), a move aimed at curbing patronage and ensuring assistance directly reaches intended beneficiaries.
Speaking during the signing of the 2026 budget in Malacañan on Monday, Jan. 5, Marcos stressed that the government will strictly enforce the provision prohibiting political involvement in aid distribution.
“Politicians shall be barred from the distribution of any financial aid, and we shall ensure that the support reaches the intended beneficiaries without patronage…Walang bawas, walang kulang,” he said.
The President emphasized that the measure is part of broader efforts to strengthen accountability and restore public trust in the use of public funds.
In a press briefing after the signing, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the prohibition is explicitly provided for in the 2026 budget.
“Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, there is a special provision in the budget, or a general provision in the budget, na bawal ang pulitiko during the actual disbursement,” he said.
“So susundin natin ang guidelines na ’yan,” he added.
Recto said the restriction is new, noting that similar safeguards were not included in previous budgets.
“I’ll put it this way—it’s the first time we’ve had this kind of provision [in the] General Appropriations Act,” he said.
“So subukan natin muna,” he added.
The provision is intended to prevent political intervention in government assistance programs and ensure that financial aid is distributed directly to beneficiaries based on eligibility rather than political influence. (Argyll Geducos)
