Manila, Dec. 10 -- Malacanang on Wednesday expressed confidence in the timely passage of the proposed PHP6.793 trillion national budget for 2026.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has no plan to certify the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) as urgent.

"Hindi ngayon, dahil patapos naman na sila at sa ating pagkakaalam bago mag-Pasko ay isusumite nila 'yung enrolled copy ng GAB (Not now because they are almost finished, and to our knowledge, they will submit the enrolled copy of the GAB before Christmas)," Castro said when asked about the possible issuance of an urgent certification.

The Senate on Tuesday approved the proposed 2026 budget on third and final reading, sending the spending plan t...