Senator Panfilo Lacson warned against money-laced lobbying in the Philippines budget process on October 26, 2026, saying agencies should justify funding requests as Congress scrutinizes the proposed 2027 spending plan.

Key Takeaways

  • Agencies facing proposed funding cuts may seek restoration from Congress if they can justify their requests, Lacson said.
  • The senator called for livestream cameras to remain on during suspended budget deliberations.
  • Lacson said the Senate plans to cut P2 billion from its own proposed budget for possible realignment.

Philippines budget scrutiny and transparency

Lacson said agencies whose budgets were reduced in the National Expenditure Program could appeal to the House of Representatives and the Senate to restore funding, provided they justified their requests. He said the Senate would continue examining the proposal with the help of budget advocates and civil society groups.

He also called for livestream cameras to keep running during suspended deliberations, particularly at the bicameral conference committee level. In a radio interview, he said transparency should be sustained throughout the budget process.

Debt projections and Senate spending

The senator cited a projected 2027 budget deficit of P1.695 trillion and projected national debt of P21.48 trillion. He also cited projected gross borrowings of P3.043 trillion for principal and interest payments.

Lacson said the Senate's plan to reduce its budget under the National Expenditure Program by P2 billion could free funds for education, health or other productive uses. He also warned against excessive reliance on financial assistance programs, citing accounts of beneficiaries allegedly spending assistance on shopping and gambling.

Disputed allocation offer

Lacson also questioned an alleged P5-million allocation fund offer linked to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, or TESDA. He said the agency had not categorically denied that a staff member identified as Stephanie worked there.

TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez had denied authorizing anyone to offer Lacson an allocation. Lacson said he was willing to give Benitez the benefit of the doubt over that denial, but remained unconvinced about the matter.

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