Context Dispatch

The Department of Budget and Management will submit the proposed P7.2-trillion 2027 National Expenditure Program to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, marking an increase from this year’s P6.793-trillion national budget. Palace spokesperson Atty. Claire Castro said the NEP, which the DBM formally turned over to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, prioritizes education, health, livelihood, security, and stronger communities under the theme “people-centered growth for an inclusive and resilient future.” Castro said the spending plan seeks to improve public services while creating more jobs and economic opportunities for Filipinos. The proposal now moves to Congress for scrutiny and approval.

The House of Representatives has approved a resolution commending the long-standing bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan, marking the 70th anniversary of the normalization of their diplomatic ties.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Dr. Edwin Mercado as the country’s new health secretary, replacing Dr. Jose Brittanio Pujalte Jr., who resigned for health reasons, Palace spokesperson Claire Castro said. Mercado, who has served as acting president and chief executive officer of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. since February 2025, is a University of the Philippines medical graduate with master’s degrees from Harvard Medical School and the University of North Carolina. Pujalte, appointed health chief on July 13, now faces an anonymous ethics and graft complaint before the Ombudsman. Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho, former health undersecretary, assistant secretary, and spokesperson, will replace Mercado at PhilHealth.

Malacañang on Sunday ordered government employees in Metro Manila and 15 Luzon provinces to work from home as authorities braced for continued heavy rainfall from the Southwest Monsoon. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto issued Memorandum Circular 123 upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Alternative learning modes were also ordered for schools in affected areas. Agencies providing basic and health services, disaster responders, and other vital government services must continue necessary operations. The private sector was also urged to adopt alternative work arrangements. The covered provinces are Ilocos Sur, La Union, Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Benguet, Pangasinan, Abra, Tarlac, Pampanga, Oriental Mindoro, and Bulacan.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the consolidated petitions filed by Vice President Sara Duterte and lawyer Israelito Torreon questioning the House of Representatives' handling of the impeachment complaints, ruling that the cases had become moot after the Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate.