Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson voted on Monday to ratify the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, marking a rare affirmative vote from the veteran lawmaker, but he did so with what he described as “strong reservations” over provisions that could enable political patronage.

In his manifestation during the ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on the 2026 General Appropriations Bill, Lacson underscored his concerns over allocations for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially-Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

He also flagged other social welfare programs, commonly referred to as “ayuda,” which he said are discretionary, duplicative of existing institutionalized and rules-based programs, or unsupported by formal 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,” Lacson said on the Senate floor.

He stressed that the national budget should not be used as a political instrument.

“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 said, while noting that reforms made so far still leave “an extensive” path ahead.

Lacson cited what he described as the lack of a solid legal foundation for the fund allocations to MAIFIP, AICS, and similar programs.

He also raised concerns over the absence of institutional safeguards to prevent interference by incumbent officials, electoral candidates, or political figures in the implementation of these programs.

According to Lacson, such weaknesses “clearly manifest how our budget is not insulated from political patronage.”

Despite his reservations, the senator commended the Senate finance committee, led by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, for pushing reforms in the budget process.

“For the first time in the history of our nation, the public was granted unrestricted access to the budget books and deliberations,” Lacson said, describing the move as a shift away from closed-door politics toward greater transparency and accountability in public spending.