MANILA, Philippines – Sumang-ayon si Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Lunes sa ratipikasyon ng ₱6.793-trilyong badyet para sa 2026, subali’t iginiit niya ang “strong reservations” sa mga item na nagbubukas ng pinto sa posibleng political patronage.
Sa kanyang manifestation kaugnay ng ratipikasyon ng ulat ng bicameral conference committee sa 2026 budget bill, iginiit ni Lacson ang kanyang matinding pagtutol sa mga pondong inilaan para sa Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially-Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) at Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
Ipinahayag din niya ang kanyang pagtutol sa iba pang mga programang panlipunang tulong o “ayuda” na aniya’y “discretionary and duplicative of institutionalized and rules-based programs, and other similar budget items that lack agency requests.”
“For the first time in a long while, I am voting YES for the ratification of the bicameral report on the proposed national budget for 2026. HOWEVER, WITH THIS AFFIRMATIVE VOTE COMES A STRONG RESERVATION,” ani Lacson.
“The national budget must not be a political tool or spoils for those in power. We deserve a budget that truly serves the people, free from political exploitation,” diin niya. “While we have made headway, the path forward remains extensive.”
Sa paglalahad ng kanyang mga pagtutol, binanggit ni Lacson ang kakulangan ng matibay na legal na batayan para sa paglalaan ng pondo sa MAIFIP, AICS, at iba pang kahalintulad na programa.
Tinukoy rin niya ang kawalan ng institutional safeguards sa pamumulitika ng opisyal, kandidato at pulitiko sa pag-implement ng mga programa na aniya’y “a clear manifestation of how our budget is not insulated from political patronage.”
Gayunpaman, pinuri ni Lacson ang Senate Committee on Finance sa pamumuno ng chairman nitong si Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian “for standing our ground in defending and crafting a reformed national budget for FY 2026.”
“For the first time in the history of our nation, the public was granted unrestricted access to the budget books and deliberations, ensuring the highest standard of scrutiny and moving beyond closed-door politics to a budget answerable to the people,” ani Lacson. Ernie Reyes
