IpaBitag Mo Inc. (IBMI) on Friday called for the passage of the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) and Anti-Epal bills into law under the 20th Congress, saying the measures would further tighten safeguards against corruption in government.

During a press conference, veteran media practitioner and anti-crime and corruption advocate Ben Tulfo said the group’s advocacy is independent of his media background.

“Volunteer lang po ako at sa mga kasamahan po ko sa industriya iba po ang trabaho ko roon kasi una sa lahat ay pag sinabing advocate ay may isinusulong po tayo dito,” Tulfo said.

IBMI noted that Bottom-Up Budgeting was introduced in 2012 during the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III, with former Department of Budget and Management secretary Florencio Abad described as the “brain” behind its technical implementation.

The BUB program is a participatory budgeting initiative that allows local communities to take part in decision-making on the allocation of government funds, aiming to empower citizens and local governments in identifying priority development projects and services.

According to IBMI, institutionalizing BUB has long been overdue, with Tulfo saying he has been advocating for it since 2014.

“IBMI-NGO has long been batting for the institutionalizing of the BUB. It should not just be a byword, a policy or a program. Its implementation should not rest on the discretion of the current administration treating it just like another program. Rather, make it a policy through legislation,” the NGO said.

Tulfo said public participation in budgeting through Congress and the Senate would help prevent anomalies in government programs, projects and activities.

“Being an advocate nalaman ko na ‘yung BUB noon pa man naniniwala ako na kapag nagkaroon ng partisipasyon ang tao sa ibaba, maiiwasan ang mga kalokohan sa itaas (sa) pagpapatupad ng anumang programa, proyekto at aktibidades ng pamahalaan,” he said.

IBMI lawyer Atty. Rean Balisi said BUB would promote active community involvement in budget scrutiny, going beyond merely “watching” the planning and deliberation process.

“Maganda siyang pamamaraan in order for us to improve and be efficient not only in the budget preparation or participation in legislation pero pati na rin dun sa tinawag nating budget execution and accountability,” Balisi said.

IBMI also pushed for the passage of the Anti-Epal bill, which seeks to prohibit public officials from placing their names, initials or photos on signages of planned, ongoing or completed public works projects, as well as on government assistance distributions.

“IBMI-NGO believes that this bill should be legislated to stop the interference of the politicians, especially in the local arena,” the group said.

Tulfo also urged the Senate, including his brothers Senators Raffy and Erwin Tulfo, to take up the measure to curb “credit grabbing” by politicians in taxpayer-funded programs.

“Bakit po ‘yung anti-epal bill, katanungan natin sa mga Senador at kung sino-sini kasama ang mga kapatid ko riyan, gisingin ko ngayon. Senator Raffy, senator Erwin at kung sino pang mga Senador diyan, ang tanong sa inyo bakit hindi niyo silipin yung Anti-epal bill?” Tulfo said.

“Gusto natin ma-refile sana ng kung sino mang magigiting na Senador para maiwasan ang pangeepal ng mga politiko inaangkin ang mga proyekto kahit hindi sa kanila, pera ng taong bayan,” he added.