Senator Panfilo Lacson said his shift to the minority bloc won’t stop him from scrutinizing the proposed 2026 national budget and exposing “pork barrel” and other questionable allocations.
“Hindi ko iiwanan ang aking tungkulin lalo na sa pagbantay ng national budget,” Lacson in an interview on True FM.
Lacson emphasized that he has consistently flagged irregularities, regardless of political affiliation. Past examples include the arbitrary distribution of “Tulong Dunong” education funds by lawmakers, right-of-way payments requested by the DPWH despite billions in unused funds, and the disproportionate allocation of flood control funds.
He said he plans to grill officials over the flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro, which has been affected by flooding from Severe Tropical Storm Crising and the southwest monsoon.
“Sa akin tama na ang put them on notice may nakikialam na may nag-aaral na may nakukuhang datos na tatanungin kayo,” according to him.
Lacson also refiled a bill allowing civil society groups to join budget deliberations, including in the bicameral conference committee.
“It’s about time magising tayong lahat, bantayin natin ang ating national budget kasi ito ang lifeline ng ating ekonomiya if not the country itself,” he said.
The senator criticized the opaque budget process. “Ang magkausap lang congressman at contractor niya. O kausap niya sarili niya kasi contractor siya.”IMT
