President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is ''willing'' to operate on a reenacted budget for 2026 ''if it is not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program''.

"For the 2026 National Budget, I will return any proposed General Appropriations Bill that is not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program. And further, I am willing to do this even if we end up with a reenacted budget," Marcos said during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

"I will not approve any budget that is not aligned in the government's plan for the Filipino people," he added.

Marcos approved a proposed P6.793 trillion for 2026 from P6.326 trillion in 2005 where he had to veto P194 billion worth of line items that did not follow the NEP.

The government submits the NEP to Congress a month after it opens.

Marcos warned against government personnel allegedly stealing funds from public projects especially for flood control.

He revealed that he saw substandard flood control projects during his inspection in the areas affected by southwest monsoon, Tropical Storms ''Crising'', ''Dante'' and ''Emong''.

"So, that this will not happen again. First, the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) will immediately submit to me a list of all flood control projects from every region that were started or completed in the last three years. Second, the Regional Project Monitoring Committee shall examine that list of projects and give a report on those that have been failures, those that were not finished, and those that are alleged to be ghost projects," said Marcos.

"And third, we will publish this list. So that the public can review these lists and share their ideas to help the investigation.

At the same time, there will be an audit and performance review regarding these projects to check and make sure and to know how your money was spent," he added.

Marcos also stressed that those who will be found guilty, including the contractors will be charged in the coming months. Robina Asido/DMS