Ping Lacson: Let PBBM, media observe bicam budget talks

Returning senator Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson emphasized Saturday that there is nothing wrong with allowing the public, including the President, to observe bicameral conference committee deliberations on the national budget, as it promotes transparency.

He also asserted that the development plans of local government units (LGUs) should be considered in the budgeting process, which is best handled through the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), not by a single agency.

"Why prevent the President from being an observer? Ideally, any Filipino should be allowed to observe the bicameral deliberations. In my bill, I limited the observers to accredited non-government organizations and civil society groups so the venue will not be too crowded. But the bottom line is that someone will be there to observe and guard the proceedings," Lacson said in a radio interview.

Lacson is planning to refile his bill allowing the public, including civil society organizations (CSOs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and the media, to observe the bicameral budget deliberations "to ensure transparency."

"I am in favor of the President and his Cabinet being there as observers — along with accredited NGOs and CSOs, and even the media," he added.

Lacson said he sees no issue with the President being present, as long as he refrains from participating in the deliberations. However, he warned that if Marcos does get involved, it would be an encroachment on the legislative branch’s powers.

He pointed out that the bicameral proceedings, which are typically closed to the public, are where deals for insertions are often made.

For example, during the bicam for the 2025 budget, P26 billion for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) was added, even though it was not included in either the House or Senate versions of the budget. This insertion was made after the leadership of both chambers agreed to allocate P21 billion for the House and P5 billion for the Senate.

"It is highly anomalous and inappropriate, even illegal," Lacson stressed.

Meanwhile, Lacson reiterated that the development plans of LGUs must be taken into account when preparing the budget, and this should be done through the DBCC, not through any single agency like the Department of Economic Planning and Development (DepDev), formerly known as the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

He emphasized the importance of considering LGUs' development plans, which are channeled through the Regional Development Councils (RDCs), and that this process is best managed by the DBCC, which includes DepDev and other agencies such as the Department of Finance and the Department of Budget and Management.

"This should be a collaborative effort, and not the effort of one department," he said.