Lacson backs panel to ensure 2026 budget transparency

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, reaffirmed the Senate’s strong support for full transparency in the 2026 budget deliberations. He highlighted backing for the panel chaired by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

Lacson raised concerns about new farm-to-market road (FMR) projects lacking proper identification, including grid coordinates and detailed descriptions. He said at least P5 billion worth of FMR projects show discrepancies, raising questions about potential corruption.

“Where did the new items come from? This might be another case of corruption. The public is still angry over the anomalous flood control projects, yet there seems to be an attempt to redirect funds into other infrastructure projects,” Lacson said in a TV interview.

He emphasized that the Department of Agriculture (DA) must clarify and fix the discrepancies to allow the bicameral conference committee to finish deliberations on schedule.

Lacson also cited previous budget issues involving the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). These matters are nearing resolution after DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon apologized for submitting “insufficient data” during bicameral discussions.

He stressed that both houses of Congress must eliminate all potential corruption risks in the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), even if it means longer deliberations or a reenacted 2025 budget in early 2026.

“My position is: Better a reenacted budget in January or even in the entire first quarter of 2026 than an unchecked, corruption-prone, and worse, graft-ridden GAA,” Lacson said, noting that most of his majority bloc colleagues agree.

He added that no new items should be added to the budget without proper vetting, warning that doing so would invite further irregularities.

Lacson also urged bicameral conference participants to maintain transparency by sharing discussions that occur during suspensions, addressing public concerns about what happens behind closed doors.

He expressed optimism over current Senate leadership, praising Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Finance Committee Chairman Gatchalian for reforms, including livestreaming budget deliberations and bicameral meetings.

“At the end of the day, I am happy that under the 20th Congress and under the leadership of Senate President Sotto, I am no longer on a lonesome crusade to reform the national budget. The public is aware and angry over corruption. We must not waste this opportunity,” Lacson said.