Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Monday said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’ decision to veto ₱92.5 billion in unprogrammed appropriations (UA) under the 2026 national budget was justified, but stressed that certain items should be retained.
Lacson identified the local counterpart fund, government support for foreign-assisted projects, and the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program as essential.
“We need these items as our commitments to our economic development and national security,” he said.
The Marcos administration assured that the UA reduction would not disrupt operations, noting that salary adjustments, foreign-assisted initiatives, and flagship infrastructure projects remain covered under programmed expenditures.
Lacson emphasized that UA funds are non-cash items, usable only under strict conditions such as excess non-tax revenue, accompanying revenue measures, or approved loans, with authority resting solely with the President.
He cautioned against past misuse, recalling that the 2024 budget included “highly questionable” and “unconstitutional” provisions, such as allowing government corporations like PhilHealth to transfer excess funds to the treasury for infrastructure projects. He also warned that foreign-assisted project funds, if diverted, “could have been disastrous.”
Lacson underscored the need to safeguard UA allocations while ensuring they serve their intended purpose.