Manila, Dec. 17 -- Congress still has enough time to deliberate on the proposed 2026 national budget and pass it on time, Malacanang said Wednesday.

This comes as Palace Press Officer Clarie Castro reiterated President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s firm stance against a reenacted budget.

"Ang nais po talaga ng Pangulo ay hindi magkaroon ng reenacted budget. At hindi pa naman po natatapos ang Disyembre. December 17 pa lang po at sa tingin po ng Pangulo ay may sapat pang panahon para aralin ito (What the President really wants is to avoid a reenacted budget. December is not over yet. It's only December 17, and the President believes there is still enough time to study this)," Castro told Palace reporters.

Castro issued the statement, a day a...