Tag: 2026 budget

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Designed to ‘Confuse and Corrupt’? Lacson Flags ‘Duplicate’ Projects in DPWH’s 2025 Budget

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday evening flagged several “duplicate” projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in its corruption-filled 2025 budget, which he said could have been designed to “confuse and corrupt.”

In his interpellation of the DPWH’s budget for 2026, Lacson noted these duplicates were under the Convergence and Special Support Program (CSSP), which were “significantly bloated every year” from 2023 to 2025.

“Bakit ito palaging bloated every year? Significant ang kanyang pagtaas (Why is the CSSP bloated every year? And the increases are significant),” he said.

Senate finance committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian, who sponsored the DPWH budget, replied that these increases are “mostly congressional.”

In FIlipino: Designed to ‘Confuse and Corrupt’? Lacson, Sinita ang mga ‘Duplicate’ Projects sa 2025 Budget ng DPWH

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Lacson Revives Proposal to Merge State TV Networks to Save Costs, Improve Public Service

To save on subsidies while improving public service, why not revive a plan to integrate the government’s two television networks?

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson raised this Tuesday during the deliberations of the 2026 budget of the Presidential Communications Office, including state TV networks People’s Television Network (PTV) and Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp. (IBC).

“During the time of then Sec. Sonny Coloma under the presidency of the late President Benigno Aquino III, there was a plan to integrate the (then) three government TV stations and convert the same into a public service broadcaster in the mold of the British Broadcasting Co. This is also budget-related (because) it could save the government from providing subsidy to the stations,” Lacson said. “I think it’s worth studying and considering.”

In Filipino: Lacson, Ibinuhay ang Panukalang Pagsamahin ang State TV Networks para Makatipid at Mapahusay ang Public Service

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Lacson Calls for End to Political Abuse of DSWD’s Ayuda Programs

After being abused in past election years, it’s high time the ayuda programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development be freed from the malpractices of politicians starting in 2026, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday.

Lacson stressed that DSWD personnel should be allowed to implement ayuda programs without politicians’ interference so such programs will not be turned into a matter of patronage politics.

In his interpellation of the DSWD’s 2026 budget, Lacson also commended the Senate finance committee and subcommittee for bringing down to zero the budget for Strengthening Assistance for Social Programs, which would have gotten funding from unprogrammed appropriations.

“We must fix the DSWD’s budget. I’m all for helping the needy but this should be data-driven and there should be a clear program. It should not be whimsical, arbitrary and politically motivated,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English, in his interpellation of the DSWD’s 2026 budget.

“I talked to Senate finance committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian and we agreed it’s about time we streamline the DSWD’s budget because it is being abused,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Itigil ang Political Abuse sa Ayuda Programs ng DSWD

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Lacson Intervention Leads to Restoration of AMLC’s 2026 Budget

Following the intervention by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, the Senate finance committee has restored the proposed budget of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for 2026 to P333 million.

Senate finance committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian informed Lacson that the AMLC’s budget was restored to P333 million in the Senate version of the budget bill, from the P170.161 million allotted for it in the National Expenditure Program.

“We granted the request of AMLC upon your recommendation during the budget deliberations. Remember, you strongly recommended to increase the budget of AMLC considering what’s happening right now. So the new budget of AMLC is P333 million,” Gatchalian said, after Lacson inquired about the restoration of the AMLC’s budget during the deliberation of the agency’s 2026 budget Monday.

“Thank you, Mr. President,” Lacson replied.

In Filipino: Sa Tulong ni Lacson, ‘Restored’ ang 2026 Budget ng AMLC

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Lacson: Senate Won’t Allow Reenacted 2025 Budget

The Senate will not allow the reenactment in 2026 of the 2025 national budget that has been described as corrupt to the core, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said this is why the Senate is adopting measures to ensure transparency in the deliberations on the budget bill, including the livestreaming of the bicameral conference committee.

“Passing the 2026 budget bill is important. Without it, we may have a reenacted budget, and we will not allow that. If the 2025 budget is reenacted, we will see large lump sum appropriations coming from a 2025 budget that has had so many problems,” he said in Filipino in an interview on DWIZ radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Hindi Papayagan ng Senado ang Reenacted 2025 Budget

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