Tag: MAIFIP

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Lacson Votes Yes to Ratification of 2026 Budget Bill, But With Strong Reservations

For the first time in a long while, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson cast his affirmative vote on Monday to ratify the P6.793-trillion budget for 2026 – but with a strong reservation due to items that keep the door open to potential political patronage.

In his manifestation on the ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on the 2026 budget bill, Lacson particularly stressed his reservation on appropriations for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially-Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

He manifested as well his reservation over other social welfare programs or “ayuda” that are “discretionary and duplicative of institutionalized and rules-based programs, and other similar budget items that lack agency requests.”

“For the first time in a long while, I am voting YES for the ratification of the bicameral report on the proposed national budget for 2026. HOWEVER, WITH THIS AFFIRMATIVE VOTE COMES A STRONG RESERVATION,” he said.

“The national budget must not be a political tool or spoils for those in power. We deserve a budget that truly serves the people, free from political exploitation,” he stressed. “While we have made headway, the path forward remains extensive.”

In Filipino: Lacson, Bumoto ng Yes sa Ratipikasyon ng 2026 Budget Bill Nguni’t May ‘Strong Reservations’

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Lacson: Proper Implementation to be Next Major Challenge of 2026 Budget

May the force be with us.

On this note, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed that public vigilance on the 2026 budget must not stop at its approval and signing into law but must continue through its implementation.

Lacson said late Saturday that while religious and civil society groups monitored the bicameral debates on the crafting of the budget bill, their next challenge is to guard how the executive branch spends taxpayers’ money in 2026.

“The same vigilance showed by the public led by the Catholic Church, religious groups and civil society organizations must be maintained in watching over the budget’s implementation. Our people must not let down their guard because the 2026 budget will show if there is indeed reform for our government and our nation. We must learn from the lessons of corruption in the budgets of 2025 and prior years,” he said in Filipino and English in an interview on DWIZ radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Wastong Implementasyon ang Susunod na Malaking Hamon ng 2026 Budget

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Lacson: Briefly Reenacted 2025 Budget Better than Rushed, Corruption-Prone 2026 Budget

A briefly reenacted 2025 budget would be preferable to rushing the passage of the 2026 version only to find it unresponsive to the needs of the times – or worse, prone to corruption, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Wednesday.

Lacson said this after Executive Secretary Ralph Recto was quoted as saying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is to sign the P6.793-trillion budget for 2026 in the first week of January, meaning a reenacted budget for a few days.

He also reiterated that the key, even after the budget is finally signed into law, should still be continued vigilance in monitoring, reporting, and even shaming wrongdoing in government.

“This is exactly what I said earlier – better a reenacted budget in January, or even in the first quarter of 2026, than rushing the passage of a national budget that is not responsive to the call of the times, amidst the yet unresolved investigations on the misuse and abuse of the current and previous expenditure programs, particularly involving flood control projects,” said Lacson, a long-time watchdog of the national budget.

In Filipino: Lacson: Panandaliang Reenacted 2025 Budget, Mas Mainam kaysa Minadali at Corruption-Prone na 2026 Budget

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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 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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