Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Thursday said the proposed ₱6.793 trillion national budget for 2026 could bring meaningful change for Filipinos if strict safeguards, safety measures, and vigilance against the abuse of public funds are firmly enforced.
Lacson commended the Senate panel in the bicameral conference committee, led by Senator Win Gatchalian, for “standing its ground” on transparency and safeguards pushed by the upper chamber.
“Amid all the disinformation and unreasonable criticisms, we have all the reasons to be proud of our Senate panel under the leadership of our finance chair Senator Win. I give my two thumbs up from start to finish,” Lacson said.
He acknowledged that compromises were inevitable in the budget process.
“We do not live in a perfect world, much less in an ideal situation, so we cannot be perfectionists and idealistic given the circumstances. That’s why adjustments must be made both ways,” he said.
Among the safeguards included were a ban on guarantee letters and political endorsements in government aid distribution, stricter implementation of the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program under Universal Health Care, and monthly oversight of infrastructure projects, including farm-to-market roads, using grid coordinates for easier public tracking.
Lacson urged continued public vigilance alongside lawmakers.
“As long as we all remain vigilant in guarding against abuse of public funds, we can always remain hopeful that things can change for the better,” he said.