Senate Finance Committee Chair Sherwin Gatchalian admitted that the 2026 national budget is no longer on schedule, though he remains confident that it can be approved before the New Year.

Gatchalian expressed the sentiment to reporters after a meeting with House Appropriations Committee Chair Mikaela Suansing.

Gatchalian said the bicameral conference committee had postponed the resumption of its hearing on Monday due to a deadlock over the 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

He expects the bicameral panel to reconvene Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. He also assured that the Senate is willing to work until next week — except for Christmas day — to get the job done.

“Open naman sila. They’re prepared for this budget,” he said. “Kahit na 24-7 kami magtrabaho. Basta ang aming goal ngayon, whatever it takes, approve namin yung budget.”

Gatchalian also attributed the longer timetable to the birth pains of a more transparent process.

Meanwhile, Gatchalian disputed reports that the Houe panel was not consulted on the cancellation of the bicameral meeting. He also reiterated the Senate’s willingness to break the impasse over the DPWH budget.