REPRESENTATIVE Javier Benitez says safeguards in the 2026 budget can curb ghost projects, but urges public vigilance in monitoring local infrastructure.
Photo from Rep. Javier Benitez.
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Neophyte Congressman Javier Miguel Benitez of Negros Occidental said the ratified P6.7-trillion 2026 national budget was designed with stronger safeguards to reduce ghost projects and politicization.
In a television interview, Benitez said the ratified budget is difficult to abuse and dubbed it a “Ghost Project Killer,” with clear conditions and accountability mechanisms to ensure that projects will be built.
“This is a ghost project killer of a provision because while we had the DPWH budget and other budgets that also include infrastructure, there is now geo-tagging in the specific coordinates to ensure that every peso will build a real road, real bridge, real system so that we can ensure it will go to a proper project,” Benitez explained.
However, Benitez also noted that despite the safeguards, vigilance should remain throughout the bidding process and local government implementation, urging the public to monitor their communities to ensure no budget funds go to personal gain.
“Of course, when we go into the bidding process, kailangan bantayan kung maayos ba ito na-implement, meaning ng mga agencies natin. As a lawmaker, we are going to make sure that there's proper oversight,” the Congressman said.
“But certainly, ang komunidad at ang taong bayan ang dapat magbusisi sa kanilang mga local communities so that kahit sa anong ahensya or departamento, may masusuri ang ating taong bayan,” he added.
The House of Representatives on Monday approved the Bicameral Conference version of the budget just minutes after the session started. According to Benitez, the swift ratification of the budget is crucial to avoid a reenacted budget, which could delay government programs and negatively affect economic growth.
“What we want is no longer any reenactment of the budget. That's because we know that delays will only cause a drop in our GDP. But I know that we are able to always reach out from the majority to the minority,” Benitez explained.
Benitez added that the process marked a milestone for legislative transparency, as the Bicameral Conference committee deliberations were live streamed for the first time.
“This is not yet perfect [budget], but we know that we are always going to be open to suggestions as this is the most transparent bicam because it's the first time that it's been live-streamed,” Benitez noted.
After ratification by both the House of Representatives and Senate, the budget is now set to be transmitted to Malacañang for review. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will then decide whether to sign or veto the proposed budget.
