The Senate will release transcripts of the discussions from the bicameral conference committee deliberations on the ₱7.2-trillion national budget, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson announced on Sunday, November 8.
The move aims to help lawmakers and the public track who initiates budget realignments and amendments. Alongside publishing transcripts and posting proceedings on the Senate website, the Senate plans to continue livestreaming the bicameral sessions in real time.
For the upcoming budget cycle, the Senate also intends to invite budget advocacy groups, such as the People’s Budget Coalition, to observe the proceedings.
Senate Senior Majority Leader and Finance Committee Chairperson JV Ejercito confirmed this commitment to involving civil society organizations (CSOs).
“Panawagan ko nga vigilance is not enough. Panawagan ko sa kanila baka pwede na sila mag-resort sa shaming para pwedeng tablan ng hiya ang iba,” Lacson said.
Lacson also raised concerns over questionable project coordinates flagged by advocacy groups, noting instances where geotagged projects appeared misplaced.
“Akala ko malayo na ‘yung Leyte, hanggang sa marinig ko yung People’s Budget Coalition, umabot pa ng Celebes Sea. So hindi ito typo error kasi naka-geotag, dapat pinpointed talaga. Yun ang gamit nga ng geotagging, na kung saan madaling hanapin yung project at madaling ma-inspect para pag yung quality control nila, madaling malaman kung talaga nagawa yung proyekto,” he explained.
To address transparency and accountability gaps, senators will enforce Public Works Secretary Giovanni Lopez’s requirements for project funding—including programs of work, feasibility studies, and accurate geotagging—while utilizing the Unified Account Code Structure (UACS) for tracking.
Meanwhile, Senate President Win Gatchalian stated that the Senate will remove ₱8.836 billion worth of infrastructure projects from the proposed budget due to missing documentation from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).