Lacson: Keep Cameras Rolling Even During Budget Bicam Suspensions

To prevent corruption from creeping into the 2027 budget measure, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is proposing that livestream cameras continue to roll even when deliberations are suspended, particularly during bicameral conference committee proceedings.

Lacson also called for fewer suspensions during bicameral deliberations, saying these could allow lawmakers to engage in behind-the-scenes discussions beyond the cameras’ reach.

In Filipino: Lacson: Panatilihing ‘Rolling’ ang mga Camera Kahit Suspendido ang Budget Bicam

“Sa bicam naman, panay suspend. Pag suspend, bulungan sa isang corner, hindi covered ng media. So I’d like to propose sa bicam, maski suspended dapat nandiyan ang mga camera marinig ang usapan (When the budget bill reaches the bicam, as what happened last year, there were many suspensions where lawmakers were whispering in a corner, away from the cameras. So I’d like to propose that in the bicam, the cameras keep rolling even during a suspension of the proceedings so the public will know what is being discussed),” he said in an interview on DWIZ radio.

“At dapat iwasan ang suspension, kaya nag-suspend kasi nagbubulungan. Diyan ang parang bargaining, bulung-bulungan. Kung tutuusin dapat mag-suspend lang kung call of nature, hindi para magbulungan (Suspensions should be avoided because they allow opportunities for whispering and bargaining. Suspensions should be made so lawmakers can answer the call of nature, not to engage in whispered discussions),” he added.

Lacson said the Senate would play a very important role in crafting the 2027 budget, with senators four-square behind finance committee chairman Jose Victor “JV” Ejercito.

He said the senators have expressed support for Ejercito in scrutinizing the budget measure.

Earlier, Lacson welcomed the timing of the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring unconstitutional certain provisions of the 2024 and 2025 budgets was timely, rejecting claims that the high court encroached on Congress’ constitutional authority over the national budget.

“Maliwanag pag grave abuse of discretion, pwedeng pumasok ang Supreme Court kasi sila nag-interpret… Kung may makitang grave abuse of discretion marapat lang, yan ang check and balance (It is clear that when there is grave abuse of discretion, the Supreme Court can step in because it has the mandate to interpret the law. If it sees grave abuse of discretion, it can act as the check-and-balance mechanism),” he said.

Additional El Nino Preparation Funds

Meanwhile, Lacson suggested that the cut in the Senate’s proposed 2027 budget can go to augmenting the funds for the government’s preparation for the Super El Nino phenomenon, among other needs and priorities.

He said that if the Senate cuts up to P2 billion from its proposed 2027 budget and the House of Representatives drops its plan to add P5 billion to its 2027 budget, the combined “savings” of up to P7 billion can go to health, education and other needs and priorities that were affected by insertions made in the budget bill.

“Kung P7 billion, that could somehow mitigate kung ano ang pangangailangan na di natutugunan, lalo’t magkaroon ng El Nino. Pati ang (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) fund nabawasan pa. Dapat doon tayo medyo maglagay ng pondo (A projected P7 billion could mitigate the needs that the government could not immediately address, especially now that El Nino is coming. Even the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management fund had been slashed. We need to add funds for it),” he said.

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Lacson: Panatilihing ‘Rolling’ ang mga Camera Kahit Suspendido ang Budget Bicam

Upang maiwasang mapasukan ng korapsyon ang panukalang 2027 national budget, isinusulong ni Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson na patuloy na umandar ang mga kamera para sa livestream kahit suspendido ang deliberasyon, partikular sa bicameral conference committee o bicam.

Nanawagan din si Lacson na bawasan ang mga suspensyon sa deliberasyon ng bicam, dahil maaari itong magbigay ng pagkakataon sa mga mambabatas na mag-usap nang palihim, malayo sa abot ng mga kamera.

Sinabi ni Lacson na napakahalaga ng papel ng Senado sa pagbuo ng 2027 budget, at lubos na sinusuportahan ng mga senador si Senate finance committee chairman Jose Victor “JV” Ejercito.

Ayon kay Lacson, nagpahayag ng suporta ang mga senador kay Ejercito sa masusing pagsisiyasat sa panukalang badyet.

Nauna nang sinabi ni Lacson na napapanahon ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema na nagdeklara na labag sa Konstitusyon ang ilang probisyon ng mga pambansang badyet para sa 2024 at 2025. Tinanggihan din niya ang mga pahayag na pinakikialaman ng mataas na hukuman ang kapangyarihan ng Kongreso sa pag-apruba ng pambansang badyet.

“Maliwanag pag grave abuse of discretion, pwedeng pumasok ang Supreme Court kasi sila nag-interpret… Kung may makitang grave abuse of discretion marapat lang, yan ang check and balance,” aniya.

Karagdagang Pondo para sa Paghahanda sa El Niño

Samantala, iminungkahi ni Lacson na ilaan sa pagpapalakas ng pondo para sa paghahanda ng gobyerno sa inaasahang Super El Niño, bukod sa iba pang pangangailangan at prayoridad, ang anumang matitipid mula sa pagbabawas sa panukalang 2027 budget ng Senado.

Sinabi niya na kung magbabawas ang Senado ng hanggang ₱2 bilyon sa panukala nitong badyet at hindi na itutuloy ng House of Representatives ang planong magdagdag ng ₱5 bilyon sa sarili nitong badyet para sa 2027, maaaring umabot sa ₱7 bilyon ang kabuuang matitipid. Maaari itong ilaan sa kalusugan, edukasyon at iba pang pangangailangan at prayoridad na naapektuhan ng mga insertion sa panukalang badyet.

“Kung P7 billion, that could somehow mitigate kung ano ang pangangailangan na di natutugunan, lalo’t magkaroon ng El Niño. Pati ang (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) fund nabawasan pa. Dapat doon tayo medyo maglagay ng pondo (Ang ₱7 bilyon ay makatutulong kahit paano upang matugunan ang mga pangangailangang hindi agad natutugunan ng gobyerno, lalo na kung magkaroon ng El Niño. Nabawasan pa ang pondo ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Dapat dagdagan natin ang pondo para rito),” aniya.

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