By el Amigo
MANILA — The Senate is looking to trim ₱2 billion from its proposed 2027 budget, with Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson saying the move could set an example for more prudent government spending.
Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on Accounts, said the planned reduction is intended to encourage fiscal discipline and advance reforms in the national budgeting process.
“Magbabawas kami ng (mga) P2 billion just to set the trend for the House to follow. Ang House, nagdagdag ng P5 billion,” Lacson said, contrasting the Senate’s proposed cut with the House of Representatives’ reported ₱5-billion budget increase.
The Senate’s allocation under the proposed National Expenditure Program for 2027 currently stands at ₱7.7 billion.
Lacson said cutting the proposed allocation would not necessarily hamper the chamber’s operations, noting that the Senate could still draw on unspent appropriations from the previous year.
He also welcomed the Supreme Court ruling that struck down certain provisions of the 2024 and 2025 national budgets, saying the decision came at a time when reforms in government budgeting were needed.
“Maganda ang Supreme Court ruling because it has come at a time na kailangan ang reform sa budget,” he said.
The Senate is also set to seek further proposals for budget reforms at a hearing scheduled for Monday. Representatives of civil society organizations have been invited to provide recommendations and serve as resource persons.
The proposed ₱2-billion reduction remains under consideration as the Senate works on its 2027 spending plan.
ia/xf
