TECHTALKS

Tech CEO asks: What’s holding up CADENA Act?

DT · Sep 30, 2026, 1:15 AM

BAM Aquino, principal author and sponsor of the CADENA Act, has pushed for the measure to give Filipinos greater access to government spending records and allow the public to track where taxpayers’ money goes. — Photograph by Aram Lascano for DAILY TRIBUNE

Traxion Tech founder and CEO Ann Cuisia questioned the slow progress of the proposed CADENA Act in the House of Representatives, saying the transparency measure could give Filipinos greater access to information on how public funds are spent.

The Senate approved Senate Bill 1506, or the Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability Act, on third and final reading with a 17-0 vote on 15 December 2025.

Cuisia said the measure evolved from the earlier “Blockchain the Budget” proposal following consultations with technology and other stakeholders.

She said the original proposal focused too heavily on blockchain technology and argued that legislation should instead establish principles such as traceability, integrity, public access, accountability and verifiability regardless of the technology used.

“Technologists know tools evolve; lawmakers legislate principles that endure,” Cuisia said.

Under the proposed CADENA Act, government budget and expenditure information would be made available through a digital portal, allowing the public to trace appropriations, procurement, contractors, disbursements and project outcomes.

Cuisia said the system should make government spending records searchable, structured and reusable rather than relying on scanned documents.

“CADENA won’t magically end corruption, but it can create attribution, preserve evidence and expose inconsistencies,” she said. “Investigations usually begin after money is gone; CADENA leaves a trail while it’s moving.”

The measure remains pending in the House after clearing the Senate. Sen. Bam Aquino, its principal Senate proponent, also questioned in August why CADENA was excluded from the government’s shortened list of priority measures for the next 12 months.

Cuisia said delays do not necessarily indicate wrongdoing but argued that the House should explain the timetable for further action on the measure.

“The national budget isn’t Congress’ private wallet. Officials manage our money, they don’t own it,” she said.

“Transparency should begin with the transparency bill itself,” Cuisia added.