Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has floated a bold idea for the country’s 2026 spending plan — for the Senate to adopt the National Expenditure Program (NEP) in full, without changes, insertions, or realignments.
“Pwedeng for a change, ang Senate i-adopt na natin ang NEP, madali pa trabaho natin para everything is on the executive. Pag nagkaloko-loko ang implementation ng project sa 2026, kasalanan na ng executive,” he said in an interview with DZRH.
Lacson described the move as a one-year “experiment” designed to curb corruption, particularly the alleged kickbacks from budget insertions and realignments that hounded the 2025 budget deliberations.
“At least kung nasa NEP I’m sure napagaralan na maski papano ng implementing agencies kasi sila ang magsa-submit,” he added.
The veteran lawmaker revealed he is considering making the motion when the Senate holds its briefing with the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).
“Parang experiment lang isang taon lang. Kung hindi success, e di balik tayo sa realignment,” he stressed.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration has proposed a ₱6.79-trillion budget for 2026.