PASAY CITY—Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III threw his full support behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, January 5, 2026 following the veto of P92.5 billion in unprogrammed appropriations. 

Sotto emphasized that the President’s decision reinforces Malacañang’s commitment to fiscal discipline and ensures the 2026 national budget remains free from questionable allocations. The move signals a unified front between the executive and legislative branches in prioritizing transparency over discretionary spending.

The Senate President described the 2026 spending plan as the "cleanest ever" but noted that the President’s veto aims to make it "squeaky clean." Sotto specifically praised the inclusion of a Senate-led provision designed to dismantle political patronage. 

By stripping away these funds, the administration aims to prevent politicians from using the national budget as a tool for personal or partisan gain, shifting the focus back to essential public services.

Sotto’s endorsement suggests that the Senate will continue to align with the President’s anti-corruption agenda during the implementation of the fiscal year’s projects. 

Both leaders are positioning the 2026 budget as a landmark document for accountability, setting a new standard for how government funds are allocated and defended against last-minute insertions.