‘Blockchain the budget’: Bam Aquino seeks digital transparency in gov’t spending

Senator Bam Aquino on Tuesday underscored the need to harness emerging technologies in promoting transparency and accountability in government, as he pushed for the passage of his proposed Community Access to Digital and Electronic National Accounts (CADENA) Act, also known as the “Blockchain the Budget” Act.

During a Senate Committee on Science and Technology hearing, Aquino said the measure will serve as a powerful tool against corruption by mandating the use of blockchain technology to record and disclose all government transactions on a secure, tamper-proof public digital ledger. 

This system, he explained, would allow Filipinos to directly track how public funds are spent.

“Iyong konsepto ng full disclosure, naging Blockchain the Budget, na iyong unang version natin. Ngayon po, CADENA Act na ang tawag natin… pero iisa pa rin ang konsepto — na ang pera ng bayan dapat pinangangalagaan,” Aquino said.

He emphasized that government funds must be safeguarded and properly allocated to serve the public, adding that citizens have a right to know where their taxes go.

“Iyong pera ng bayan, hindi dapat ninanakaw, dapat napupunta sa tama. May karapatan ang mamamayan na malaman kung saan napupunta ang perang pinaghirapan at buwis na binibigay buwan-buwan,” the senator added.

If enacted into law, the CADENA Act will require full disclosure of all government transaction documents, including project details and the actual cost of materials, through a blockchain-based transparency portal accessible to the public.

“Ang pagbulatlat ng mga pinagagastusan hanggang sa presyo ng materyales — iyan ang level of transparency na hinahanap natin. Iyan din ang pinakamalakas nating sandata laban sa korapsyon,” Aquino said.


“Kung seryoso tayo sa laban sa korapsyon, simulan natin sa pinakasimpleng solusyon: ipakita sa taumbayan kung saan napupunta ang pinaghirapan nilang pera.”

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), led by Secretary Henry Aguda, expressed full support for the initiative, committing to implement the measure within one budget cycle once it becomes law — faster than the proposed three-year timeline.

“Dapat one year lang para tapos na sa isang budget cycle,” Aguda said, assuring lawmakers that most agencies are ready to adopt blockchain solutions.


“Any digital solution that will give their agency a fighting chance against corruption, mabilis po nilang ina-adopt.”

Aquino lauded the DICT’s commitment, saying the move will revolutionize public financial transparency.

“Placing the national budget on the blockchain ensures proper and transparent utilization of public funds, down to the last peso,” he said.

The CADENA Act, if passed, positions the Philippines as one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to integrate blockchain technology into its national budget system. It is also seen as a major step toward digital governance and anti-corruption reform.