Tag: farm-to-market roads

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Lacson Hopeful Safeguards in 2026 Budget, Continued Vigilance vs Abuse Can Bring Positive Change

With safeguards among others in place and with continued public vigilance, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson holds high hopes that the 2026 budget will help bring positive change for Filipinos.

Lacson lauded the Senate panel in the bicameral conference committee led by Senate finance committee Sherwin Gatchalian for fighting for the safeguards and transparency measures the Senate has inserted.

“Amid all the disinformation and unreasonable criticisms, we have all the reasons to be proud of our Senate panel under the leadership of our Finance Chair Senator Win. I give my two thumbs up from start to finish,” Lacson said.

“We do not live in a perfect world, much less in an ideal situation, so we cannot be perfectionists and idealistic given the circumstances. That’s why adjustments must be made both ways,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson, Umaasang Safeguards sa 2026 Budget at Pagmamatyag vs Abuso, Tutulong sa Pagdulot ng Pagbabago

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Lacson: We Stand Four-Square Behind the Senate Panel to Uphold Full Transparency in Budget Bill

We stand four-square behind the efforts of the Senate panel behind Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian to uphold full transparency in the 2026 budget bill.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this Tuesday amid another issue that surfaced, this time involving farm-to-market (FMR) road projects that were not properly identified.

He said this came as two other issues involving the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s appeal to restore its budget cuts are nearing a resolution after DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon apologized to the Senate for submitting “insufficient data” during the bicameral deliberations.

“With equal urgency and importance is the new FMR issue raised by Sen. Francis Pangilinan. At least P5 billion worth of FMR projects are not properly identified, even revised from what the Senate approved on third reading: no grid coordinates, description, etc. Based on our majority caucus yesterday, we cannot and will not allow that. For the sake of full transparency, we stand four-square behind our panel under the leadership of its chairman, Sen. Gatchalian,” Lacson said.

In Filipino: Lacson: Buo ang Suporta sa Senate Panel para Itaguyod ang Ganap na Transparency sa Budget Bill

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Lacson Pushes Clear, Foolproof Safeguards vs Abuse, Political Patronage in 2026 Budget Bill

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson pushed late Monday for clear and foolproof safeguards to prevent abuse and political patronage, especially in at least three contentious issues in the P6.793-trillion proposed budget for 2026.

Lacson said there must be no political interference in the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP), funding for farm-to-market roads, and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s request to restore cuts in its budget.

“Some special provisions have been prepared to address the issues. We are studying the safeguards now. I am looking for ways to ensure these safeguards will be foolproof, that they will not be exploited by politicians,” Lacson said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on One News late Monday. “Safeguards are important to me, to make sure public funds in the budget do not go to corruption. That is the bottom line for me.”

“I made it clear that unless I see the safeguards are foolproof, I may go along with the minority if they will not sign to ratify the budget bill,” he added. “We have our own advocacies. Some advocate education and health. My advocacy is to fix the budget.”

In Filipino: Lacson, Itinulak ang Malinaw at ‘Foolproof’ na Safeguards vs Abuso at Political Patronage sa 2026 Budget Bill

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Lacson: Media, Public Vigilance Key vs Budget Manipulations, Especially with Livestreaming

The media and the public must stay vigilant to prevent manipulations in the budget bill, especially now that the proceedings in the bicameral conference committee are being livestreamed, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said this will keep the pressure on lawmakers so they would not insist on funding for dubious programs, especially those that involve political patronage.

“Media and the public are the key here. If we all let down our guard, we may allow corruption to come back. We must remain vigilant not only on flood control projects, but also on the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program and farm-to-market roads,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Dapat Manatiling Mapagbantay ang Media at Publiko vs Manipulasyon sa Badyet, Lalo’t May Livestreaming Ngayon

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Lacson Not Signing Budget Bicam Report with Questionable MAIFIP, Farm-to-Market Roads Provisions

Unless the provisions granting the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) a massive budget increase and allocating billions for potentially unvetted farm-to-market roads are corrected, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson will not sign to ratify the bicameral conference committee report on the 2026 budget.

Lacson drew the line on the matter Sunday after the bicameral conference committee decided to increase the MAIFIP’s 2026 budget to P51 billion, and provide P33 billion for farm-to-market roads.

“Sorry, unless rectified in its final version, I cannot sign to ratify a bicam report with P51 billion for MAIFIP, with nothing but guarantee letters from politicians and is not compliant with the Universal Health Care Act. Further, I will not associate myself with the P33-billion spending for unplanned and unvetted farm-to-market roads,” said Lacson, an eagle-eyed watchdog of the national budget.

“Unless we adequately fund the UHC programs such that they cover all barangays and ensure zero billing, among others., we cannot fully implement the UHC law that we passed. All health-related funds must be subsumed under the Universal Health Care program of the Department of Health. Guarantee letters from politicians will only guarantee patronage politics but not the health care needs of Filipinos, especially the indigents,” he stressed.

In Filipino: Lacson, Hindi Pipirma sa Bicam Report ng Badyet na may Kaduda-dudang Probisyon sa MAIFIP, Farm-to-Market Roads

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