Tag: 2026 budget

Statements

Lacson to Scrutinize Dubious Farm-to-Market Roads, ‘Ayuda’ Programs, Super Health Centers Linked to P255B DPWH Fund Realignment

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson intends to scrutinize potentially dubious farm-to-market roads, “ayuda” programs and “Super Health Centers” that “benefited” from some P255.5 billion from flood control project funds of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the 2026 budget.

Lacson said an initial check of the realignments showed the funds went to these items, as well as some “ayuda” programs that may be funded by unprogrammed appropriations.

Part of the realignments also went to the Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP) that funds the Super Health Centers, he added.

“Much of the realignments went to farm-to-market roads. The question is, is the list of such roads from the Department of Agriculture or from congressmen?” Lacson said.

“Some ayuda programs are to be funded by unprogrammed appropriations. We intend to uproot these and return them to the regular budget,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Bubusisiin ang Kahina-hinalang Farm-to-Market Roads, ‘Ayuda’ Programs, at Super Health Centers na Pinondohan Mula sa P255B DPWH Fund Realignment

Continue reading “Lacson to Scrutinize Dubious Farm-to-Market Roads, ‘Ayuda’ Programs, Super Health Centers Linked to P255B DPWH Fund Realignment” →

Facebook Like
Share to
Mob+Viber
Google
Radio, Statements, Videos

Push to Scrap Unprogrammed Appropriations in 2026 Budget Gains Momentum as Lacson Backs Sotto, Gatchalian

The push to scrap unprogrammed appropriations from the 2026 national budget gained more momentum as Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson threw his full support behind Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senate finance committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian.

Lacson said Saturday that he will add his voice to the Senate’s stand if the Senate and House contingents meet on the matter at the bicameral conference committee.

“Our agreement was that there will be no unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 budget, but we will allow funding for foreign-assisted projects that are necessary. Funds in the unprogrammed appropriations for other purposes will be removed,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino, in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson, Suportado sina Sotto at Gatchalian: Alisin ang Unprogrammed Appropriations sa 2026 Budget

Continue reading “Push to Scrap Unprogrammed Appropriations in 2026 Budget Gains Momentum as Lacson Backs Sotto, Gatchalian” →

Facebook Like
Share to
Mob+Viber
Google
Statements

Lacson: Move to Save P400B by Canceling, Re-Pricing DPWH Projects Can Ease Debt Burden

A proposal to save some P400 billion by canceling or re-pricing P1.6 trillion in ongoing and upcoming projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will not only fund priority health and education programs but also ease our debt burden.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this on Friday as he supported the suggestion by neophyte Rep. Leandro Leviste to take such actions.

“Neophyte Cong. Leviste should be listened to and taken seriously. He surely knows how to compute. P400B in savings to bridge our budget deficit will help ease our debt burden,” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Lacson: Pagtipid ng P400B sa Pagkansela at Pag-Reprice ng mga Proyekto ng DPWH, Makakabawas Din sa Utang ng Bayan

Continue reading “Lacson: Move to Save P400B by Canceling, Re-Pricing DPWH Projects Can Ease Debt Burden” →

Facebook Like
Share to
Mob+Viber
Google
Radio, Statements, Videos

Lacson: Budget Insertions Part of Congress’ Mandate, but Abused by Lawmakers

Budget insertions by themselves are not illegal nor evil as they are part of the mandate of lawmakers in shaping the national budget – but this mandate has been abused by lawmakers, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Monday as he bared the House of Representatives has its own share of humongous amendments a.k.a. insertions in the 2025 budget.

Lacson, who earned a reputation as a no-nonsense watchdog of the national budget, reiterated his call for transparency and accountability from lawmakers in the deliberations for the 2026 budget.

“Introducing insertions are not illegal. It is our mandate as lawmakers to review the National Expenditure Program and introduce amendments. The problem is that many lawmakers abused this mandate,” Lacson said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“I hope that in 2026, we will practice self-restraint. The people are angry so we must reform the way we pass the budget,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Budget Insertions Mandato ng Mambabatas, Pero Naabuso sa Kongreso

Continue reading “Lacson: Budget Insertions Part of Congress’ Mandate, but Abused by Lawmakers” →

Facebook Like
Share to
Mob+Viber
Google
Radio, Statements, Videos

Lacson Uncovers Least P100B in Senators’ Insertions in 2025 Budget

At least P100 billion worth of items were inserted by “almost all” senators in the 19th Congress in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson bared on Sunday.

Lacson, an eagle-eyed watchdog of the national budget, cited documents he gathered indicating that these were individual insertions, although they were eventually held for later release (FLR).

“Sa Senate pa lang, at least P100 bilyon. Nagulat nga ako, sa individual insertions ito, ito naka-FLR ngayon (For the Senate, the insertions amounted to at least P100 billion. I was surprised because these are individual insertions although they were held ‘for later release’),” he said in an interview on DZMM radio.

“Pagkalalaki. Never pa ako nakakita kasi noong araw di pa declared unconstitutional ang PDAF nandoon lang sa hundreds of millions. E ngayon nakita ko ang total, kabuuan at least P100 billion (It was humongous. I have never seen such amounts. Before the Priority Development Assistance Fund was declared unconstitutional in 2013, ‘pork’ amounted to hundreds of millions. Now it’s at least P100 billion total for 24 senators alone),” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Ibinunyag ang Mahigit ₱100B Insertion ng mga Senador sa 2025 Budget

Continue reading “Lacson Uncovers Least P100B in Senators’ Insertions in 2025 Budget” →

Facebook Like
Share to
Mob+Viber
Google