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Lacson: More Than P79B Likely Lost to Ghost Flood Control Projects Alone

More than P79 billion has likely been lost to ghost flood control projects dating back to 2016, not counting substandard ones, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said this was based on an updated report submitted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which he chairs.

“The DPWH submitted to the Blue Ribbon Committee an updated report. Combined with the new data from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police inspection teams, it appears the number of ghost projects was 494 out of some 13,000 projects,” he said.

He added P79 billion is a huge amount, considering that the Anti-Money Laundering Council managed to have frozen almost P12 billion worth of assets linked to the corruption behind the anomalous flood control projects.

In Filipino: Lacson: Higit P79B Malamang na Nawawala Dahil sa Ghost Flood Control Projects Pa Lamang

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Lacson Pushes Added Funds for Tertiary Education Subsidy

To ensure scholarships benefit deserving Filipino youths instead of fueling political patronage, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday pushed for added funds for the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) in the 2026 budget.

During the period of amendments for the 2026 budget bill, Lacson sought to delete the budget for the “resurrected” Tulong Dunong Program from the budget of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and transfer P2,727,746,000 to the TES.

“With the passage of Republic Act No. 10931 (RA 10931), or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017, Tulong Dunong, as a separate program, was ultimately deleted and merged under the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES). However, the Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations and subsequent appropriations resurrected the Tulong Dunong Program. Though not recommended by the National Expenditure Program, Tulong Dunong is now included in the General Appropriations Bill,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Isinulong ang Dagdag na Pondo para sa Tertiary Education Subsidy

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Lacson Removes P2B Redundant ROW Payments, Pushes Anti-Corruption Measures in DPWH’s 2026 Budget

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson removed more fat from the 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) by having P2 billion in appropriations for right-of-way (ROW) payments excised from it.

Lacson also moved to have the DPWH’s design manuals for key infrastructure updated and consultative, and to have a roadmap for digital planning, design, construction, maintenance and management to curb corruption.

During the period of amendments for the 2026 budget bill, Lacson sought to deduct P1 billion under the Various Completed Projects for the Payments of ROW for Nationwide/Central Office and another P1B from the Various Ongoing Projects for the Payments of ROW, similarly under Nationwide/Central Office.

“The Nationwide/Central Office’s Payments Right-of-Way (ROW) appropriations are redundant, as funds are already allocated regionally. If these funds are essential, they should be allocated to the relevant regions,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Tinanggal ang P2B sa ‘Redundant’ ROW Payments, Isinulong ang Anti-Corruption Measures sa 2026 Budget ng DPWH

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Lacson Proposes 2026 Budget Provision to Block Political Involvement in Ayuda Distribution

To prevent politicians from abusing the ayuda (cash aid) distribution in 2026, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson proposed Tuesday a provision in the 2026 budget barring any political involvement in cash aid distribution.

During the period of amendments for the 2026 budget bill, Lacson introduced a provision to insulate government social welfare programs from partisan politics.

“There must be no room for political exploitation and manipulation of the government programs in any shape or form, especially when those at the other end are already suffering. To politicize a social welfare program is not only unjust but also inhumane,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Nagsusulong ng Probisyon sa 2026 Budget para Tuldukan ang Pamumulitika Pamamahagi ng Ayuda

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Proposed Amendments to the 2026 Budget Bill

Mr. President, may I propose the following amendments to the
Fiscal Year 2026 General Appropriations Bill, House Bill No. 4058,
under Senate Finance Committee Report No. 18:

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