Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Wednesday denied claims that the Senate inserted ₱17.9 billion in discretionary or pork barrel funds in the proposed 2026 national budget.
“The ‘Senate pork’ referred to by Rep. Tinio are actually realignments to increase the subsistence allowance of the uniformed personnel from the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Bureau of Fire Protection and also the Philippine Coast Guard,” Lacson said.
The remarks came after ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio alleged that the Senate version of the budget increased discretionary funds for local government units (LGUs) by ₱17.9 billion while cutting benefits for rank-and-file government employees.
Lacson dismissed the claim, saying it reflected either poor research or a deliberate attempt to shift attention from the House version of the budget.
“Rep. Tinio is either too lazy to do his research, or he is malevolently destabilizing the Senate to take the heat off the House of Representatives,” Lacson said.
Tinio previously pointed out that the Senate reduced the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) by ₱55 billion, leaving ₱56.5 billion from the original ₱111.5 billion, while billions were allegedly cut from Performance-Based Bonuses, staffing adjustments, and unfilled positions.
He also criticized a net ₱17.9 billion increase in the Local Government Support Fund, describing it as a potential slush fund for local patronage.