[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"i-heroicons:chat-bubble-left-right":3,"categories":8,"i-heroicons:chevron-down":57,"i-heroicons:magnifying-glass":59,"i-lucide:moon":61,"i-lucide:sun":63,"i-heroicons:user-circle":65,"i-heroicons:bars-3":67,"footer-categories":69,"i-heroicons:rss":78,"article-2027-budget-interest-payments-p1-114-trillion-refinancing-september-2026":80,"article-related-2027-budget-interest-payments-p1-114-trillion-refinancing-september-2026":112,"i-heroicons:home":145,"i-heroicons:chevron-right":147,"i-heroicons:calendar":149,"i-heroicons:clock":151,"i-simple-icons:facebook":153,"i-simple-icons:x":155,"i-simple-icons:linkedin":157,"i-simple-icons:whatsapp":160,"i-heroicons:link":162},{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":7},0,24,false,"\u003Cpath fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M20.25 8.511c.884.284 1.5 1.128 1.5 2.097v4.286c0 1.136-.847 2.1-1.98 2.193q-.51.041-1.02.072v3.091l-3-3q-2.031 0-4.02-.163a2.1 2.1 0 0 1-.825-.242m9.345-8.334a2 2 0 0 0-.476-.095a48.6 48.6 0 0 0-8.048 0c-1.131.094-1.976 1.057-1.976 2.192v4.286c0 .837.46 1.58 1.155 1.951m9.345-8.334V6.637c0-1.621-1.152-3.026-2.76-3.235A48.5 48.5 0 0 0 11.25 3c-2.115 0-4.198.137-6.24.402c-1.608.209-2.76 1.614-2.76 3.235v6.226c0 1.621 1.152 3.026 2.76 3.235q.865.113 1.74.194V21l4.155-4.155\"/>",[9,15,21,27,33,39,45,51],{"id":10,"name":11,"slug":12,"description":13,"created_at":14,"updated_at":14},"be6f8ba6-0e47-4541-aebb-6813ccdd2102","Elections","elections","COMELEC updates, campaign coverage, candidate profiles, election results, and voter education for national and local elections","2025-12-10T17:10:42.101972Z",{"id":16,"name":17,"slug":18,"description":19,"created_at":20,"updated_at":20},"755de1e0-0bda-4325-91bc-f5f713874800","Investigations","investigations","In-depth investigative journalism on corruption, anomalies, and accountability in government","2025-12-10T17:10:42.106866Z",{"id":22,"name":23,"slug":24,"description":25,"created_at":26,"updated_at":26},"ec735825-d1b2-4956-af88-07bc895af11b","Judiciary","judiciary","Supreme Court decisions, legal cases involving public officials, and justice system developments","2025-12-10T17:10:42.110026Z",{"id":28,"name":29,"slug":30,"description":31,"created_at":32,"updated_at":32},"e1ed44e2-637c-45ba-b7b8-471653490f41","Legislative","legislative","Bills, laws, committee hearings, and proceedings from the Senate and House of Representatives","2025-12-10T17:10:42.108465Z",{"id":34,"name":35,"slug":36,"description":37,"created_at":38,"updated_at":38},"987d90cc-177c-43bb-86d2-ce61f0968859","Local Government","local-government","News from provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays including LGU programs, local ordinances, and regional development initiatives","2025-12-10T17:10:42.100342Z",{"id":40,"name":41,"slug":42,"description":43,"created_at":44,"updated_at":44},"36b2ea04-5b7f-4e75-bbf3-6a238e50600c","National Politics","national-politics","Coverage of Malacañang, Congress, and national government affairs including executive orders, legislative proceedings, and inter-agency coordination","2025-12-10T17:10:42.096683Z",{"id":46,"name":47,"slug":48,"description":49,"created_at":50,"updated_at":50},"00d0b27c-faad-413b-ab22-1a345c36b651","Opinion","opinion","Editorial commentary, expert analysis, and diverse perspectives on Philippine political issues and governance","2025-12-10T17:10:42.105211Z",{"id":52,"name":53,"slug":54,"description":55,"created_at":56,"updated_at":56},"27e70b57-ded6-4da9-a494-78d8a4d600e1","Policy","policy","Analysis of government policies, programs, and reforms including economic measures, social welfare initiatives, and regulatory changes","2025-12-10T17:10:42.103552Z",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":58},"\u003Cpath fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"m19.5 8.25l-7.5 7.5l-7.5-7.5\"/>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":60},"\u003Cpath fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"m21 21l-5.197-5.197m0 0A7.5 7.5 0 1 0 5.196 5.196a7.5 7.5 0 0 0 10.607 10.607\"/>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":62},"\u003Cpath fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M20.985 12.486a9 9 0 1 1-9.473-9.472c.405-.022.617.46.402.803a6 6 0 0 0 8.268 8.268c.344-.215.825-.004.803.401\"/>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":64},"\u003Cg fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\">\u003Ccircle cx=\"12\" cy=\"12\" r=\"4\"/>\u003Cpath d=\"M12 2v2m0 16v2M4.93 4.93l1.41 1.41m11.32 11.32l1.41 1.41M2 12h2m16 0h2M6.34 17.66l-1.41 1.41M19.07 4.93l-1.41 1.41\"/>\u003C/g>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":66},"\u003Cpath fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M17.982 18.725A7.49 7.49 0 0 0 12 15.75a7.49 7.49 0 0 0-5.982 2.975m11.964 0a9 9 0 1 0-11.963 0m11.962 0A8.97 8.97 0 0 1 12 21a8.97 8.97 0 0 1-5.982-2.275M15 9.75a3 3 0 1 1-6 0a3 3 0 0 1 6 0\"/>",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":68},"\u003Cpath fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M3.75 6.75h16.5M3.75 12h16.5m-16.5 5.25h16.5\"/>",[70,71,72,73,74,75,76,77],{"id":10,"name":11,"slug":12,"description":13,"created_at":14,"updated_at":14},{"id":16,"name":17,"slug":18,"description":19,"created_at":20,"updated_at":20},{"id":22,"name":23,"slug":24,"description":25,"created_at":26,"updated_at":26},{"id":28,"name":29,"slug":30,"description":31,"created_at":32,"updated_at":32},{"id":34,"name":35,"slug":36,"description":37,"created_at":38,"updated_at":38},{"id":40,"name":41,"slug":42,"description":43,"created_at":44,"updated_at":44},{"id":46,"name":47,"slug":48,"description":49,"created_at":50,"updated_at":50},{"id":52,"name":53,"slug":54,"description":55,"created_at":56,"updated_at":56},{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":79},"\u003Cpath fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M12.75 19.5v-.75a7.5 7.5 0 0 0-7.5-7.5H4.5m0-6.75h.75c7.87 0 14.25 6.38 14.25 14.25v.75M6 18.75a.75.75 0 1 1-1.5 0a.75.75 0 0 1 1.5 0\"/>",{"id":81,"slug":82,"title":83,"summary":84,"content":85,"category_id":52,"status":86,"view_count":4,"published_at":87,"created_at":88,"updated_at":88,"category":89,"tags":91},"01258d24-7cda-4051-ba96-532669c6a120","2027-budget-interest-payments-p1-114-trillion-refinancing-september-2026","As House Rushes the 2027 Budget, ₱1.114 Trillion Goes to Interest Alone — and DBM Concedes Refinancing Will Cost More","Government debt is projected to reach a record ₱21.479 trillion in 2027, with interest eating 15.9 percent of the ₱7.2-trillion budget the House is about to pass on second reading.","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>The 2027 budget the House is preparing to pass on second reading carries a line most debates skip: ₱1.114 trillion for interest payments, or 15.9 percent of the ₱7.2-trillion total, on debt projected to hit a record ₱21.479 trillion.\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Cp>The figures come from the Inquirer's Nyah Genelle C. De Leon, who reported on Aug. 12 on the government's own projections. That report predates this week's floor debates, but the numbers are the ones attached to the budget now moving through Congress, and we found no newer official revision.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Ch2>The numbers\u003C/h2>\n\n\u003Cp>Per the Inquirer: debt is projected at ₱19.765 trillion in 2026 and ₱21.479 trillion in 2027, with domestic debt at ₱14.282 trillion and external debt at ₱7.197 trillion. The 2027 debt-to-GDP ratio is projected at 64.4 percent. Principal amortization adds ₱1.590 trillion on top of interest, and the fiscal deficit is projected at ₱1.694 trillion, or 5.1 percent of GDP, assuming an exchange rate of ₱62 to the dollar. The debt is up 68 percent from ₱12.79 trillion when the Marcos administration began in June 2022.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Cp>Our own recent reporting has shown the deficit through August at ₱1.05 trillion, and a record ₱19.39 trillion in debt as of the Finance Department's forecasting restart. The projections above assume borrowing continues to grow.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Ch2>The official explanation\u003C/h2>\n\n\u003Cp>DBM Assistant Secretary Romeo Balanquit explained to the Inquirer: "Our old loans were contracted at a lower interest rate. Now they are maturing. So we have to refinance using new loans. But worse because this will be at a higher interest rate." The Inquirer also noted the peso has slid roughly 20 percent since the pandemic, from ₱49.6 to about ₱60 per dollar.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Cp>That is a rare candid line from a budget official: the government is telling taxpayers the cost of yesterday's borrowing is being rolled into a more expensive tomorrow. What it does not say is what the plan is to stop it. The ₱62 exchange-rate assumption is also worth watching; a weaker peso raises the peso cost of servicing external debt, and we have reported that ANZ expects the peso to hit ₱64 by year-end.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Ch2>What we do not know\u003C/h2>\n\n\u003Cp>We could not access the BusinessWorld report on the debt-to-GDP target, so we cannot say how the Finance Department reconciles a target it calls achievable with a projected 64.4 percent ratio. That question should be put to the department directly.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Ch2>Context\u003C/h2>\n\n\u003Cp>Interest is not discretionary spending: unlike the flood control lines under Senate review, no committee can strike it. Every peso of the ₱1.114 trillion is a peso not available for schools, hospitals or the infrastructure the scandal-hit budget keeps promising.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Ch3>Sources\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nyah Genelle C. De Leon), "PH gov't debt seen surging to record high P21.5T in '27" (Aug. 12, 2026) — https://business.inquirer.net/605260/ph-govt-debt-seen-surging-to-record-high-p21-5t-in-27\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Pulpulitiko prior reporting on the 2027 budget and the August deficit.\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>","published","2026-09-29T22:08:27.542926Z","2026-09-29T22:08:27.543014Z",{"id":52,"name":53,"slug":54,"description":55,"created_at":90,"updated_at":90},"0001-01-01T00:00:00Z",[92,96,100,104,108],{"id":93,"name":94,"slug":95,"created_at":90,"updated_at":90},"cd5c97f2-9eb8-4269-a685-6d1dded27b41","DBM","dbm",{"id":97,"name":98,"slug":99,"created_at":90,"updated_at":90},"70a141fd-f734-4b2a-b281-8bf69c356237","National Budget","national-budget",{"id":101,"name":102,"slug":103,"created_at":90,"updated_at":90},"28567362-5b60-4528-a766-2e7557be0e5a","Public Debt","public-debt",{"id":105,"name":106,"slug":107,"created_at":90,"updated_at":90},"b43cf7cf-b5d4-41dd-a1f9-f86a3a05b1be","Fiscal Policy","fiscal-policy",{"id":109,"name":110,"slug":111,"created_at":90,"updated_at":90},"10b93f30-2db4-4ecf-b162-690c126ab5fd","Debt Service","debt-service",[113,121,129,137],{"id":114,"slug":115,"title":116,"summary":117,"status":86,"view_count":118,"published_at":119,"created_at":120,"category_name":53,"category_slug":54},"64072839-1741-48a6-bd6e-7d0b1ea0c561","dbm-projects-record-21-48-trillion-debt-2027-peso-weakness-august-2026","DBM Projects Record ₱21.48-Trillion National Debt by End-2027 as Peso Weakness, Bigger Borrowing Plan Take Hold","The Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing submitted with the 2027 national budget shows the government expects its debt stock to climb 8.7% next year, driven by a weaker peso and a gross borrowing program raised to ₱3.3 trillion — just weeks after debt already breached ₱19 trillion six months ahead of schedule.",5,"2026-08-19T04:12:37.687997Z","2026-08-19T04:12:37.688907Z",{"id":122,"slug":123,"title":124,"summary":125,"status":86,"view_count":126,"published_at":127,"created_at":128,"category_name":53,"category_slug":54},"df7f5f3a-6c06-4ba3-9d78-8b623d5b31e5","national-government-debt-p21-48-trillion-2027-projection-august-2026","National Government Debt Projected to Breach ₱21.48 Trillion by End of 2027 as Borrowing Plan Grows","Budget documents submitted to Congress alongside the proposed ₱7.2-trillion 2027 national budget show the Marcos administration raising its gross borrowing target to ₱3.3 trillion, pushing debt service costs to a record ₱2.70 trillion even as the debt-to-GDP ratio already sits at a 21-year high.",3,"2026-08-12T05:59:47.129361Z","2026-08-12T05:59:47.129913Z",{"id":130,"slug":131,"title":132,"summary":133,"status":86,"view_count":134,"published_at":135,"created_at":136,"category_name":53,"category_slug":54},"63d5efd4-c11c-4f08-95a4-ef0e6c995e7a","national-government-debt-service-bill-jumps-12-percent-314-billion-april-2026-btr","National Government's Debt Service Bill Jumps 12% to ₱314.89B in April; Four-Month Total Hits ₱1.05 Trillion","Bureau of the Treasury data show the government's debt service bill rose 12.1% year-on-year to ₱314.89 billion in April and surged 68.9% to ₱1.05 trillion in the first four months of 2026 — already half of last year's full-year total — as analysts split over whether the spike reflects lumpy maturities or a deeper squeeze on development spending.",2,"2026-06-10T07:27:06.516225Z","2026-06-10T07:27:06.516516Z",{"id":138,"slug":139,"title":140,"summary":141,"status":86,"view_count":142,"published_at":143,"created_at":144,"category_name":53,"category_slug":54},"9638b272-f82a-421d-b9de-738de5258820","philippines-widest-deficit-sea-spending-cuts-debt-costs-surge-june-2026","Philippines Faces Steepest Spending Pressure in Southeast Asia as Debt Costs Surge and Deficit Exceeds Target","Oxford Economics warns that Manila — carrying the widest fiscal deficit in ASEAN at 5.6% of GDP — will be forced to rein in government spending as interest payments consume over 15% of revenue and borrowing costs climb, compounding the infrastructure collapse already caused by the flood control graft crackdown.",9,"2026-06-10T07:26:58.041805Z","2026-06-10T07:26:58.042004Z",{"left":4,"top":4,"width":5,"height":5,"rotate":4,"vFlip":6,"hFlip":6,"body":146},"\u003Cpath fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" 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