towards Adrian H. Halili, Reporting
Philippine Senate On Thursday, the P6.793-Trillion Budget for 2026 was approved for second reading, Department of Public Works and deep cuts to UNCROAllocation of fake fake as Lawmakers face mounting public anger over alleged fraud in the spending process.
The Chamber’s move represents one of its most powerful responses to weeks of public criticism over opaque budget items associated with a growth structure that involves criminals and lawmakers who involve criminals andefAcaries accused of analyzing billions from flood control funds.
“Complete details, including Line-by-line amendments and all relevant attachments, will be available on Saturday,” Satan Sherwin T. Gatchalian, “Henator Sherwin T. Gatchalia, who led the committees on finance, told the Senators on the floor.
The plan to use the records was approved after 46 days of committees and joint debates, held under the shadow of the fraud debate that has been lost in Congress since the Mephullowers were accused of the diversion of large infrastructure funds.
Senators Alan Peter S. Cayetano And Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva voted for the measure. Mr. Cayetano said the proposal failed to support the development of rural areas and retained questionable allocations.
“This is such a great opportunity for a game-changing budget, but it does not encourage the development of rural areas, and the budget is still there,” he said, adding that the lower bloc will continue to work with the bicameram committom.
The 2026 spending plan is 7.4% higher than this year’s budget of P6.352-Trillion and is equivalent to 22% of the Economic Ouput. The economy grew 4% in the third quarter, a pace that the government expects to hit its full-year target of 5.5% to 6.5%.
The majority of the change in the senate fell on unsubscribed appropriations, where lawmakers collected P68.5 billion, reducing the total amount to P174.5 billion from the House of Representatives.
The reserves include P97 billion for foreign aid projects, P35 billion for federal government funding and P30 billion for the Military Law Enforcement Program.
The Senate Finance Committee initially promised to eliminate problematic rules after the 2025 budget that faces scrutiny over illegal appropriations. The 2026 proposal originally included P250 billion in such items, most of which were pre-planned for emergencies or emergencies.
Lawmakers also imposed significant cuts on the Department of Public Works and Intermediate Positions for alleged misappropriation of funds – hitting its budget by P56.56 billion from P524.56 billion.
On the other hand, the senate increased the money for important social services. The budget of the Department of Education was raised from P992.66 billion, or P78.5 billion with the proposal of the House of Representatives of P914.1.
State universities and colleges received an increase of P8.6 billion to P140.29 billion. The Department of Internal and Domestic Budget was also increased by P22.6 billion to P308.24 billion.
But several agencies are facing cuts: the Department of Health was reduced by P199 billion to P263.22 billion; The Department of Social Affairs and Development lost P31.28 billion, bringing its allocation to P230.02 billion; And the Department of Agriculture suffered by P21.06 billion from P159.23 billion.
‘Spending Too Much’
Governance experts say The Senate amendment should be paired with structured relactocato expand public services.
Joy G. Aceron, co-director of the Transparency Group G-Watch, said the Senate should allocate more money to health, education and anti-poverty programs.
“Expansion must come with effective delivery processes that are consistent with transparency, participation and accountability,” he said in a Facebook delegate interview. He added that the shortage of classrooms, books, teachers and basic facilities should be addressed, while programs such as 4PS should be guided by clear development goals.
Ederson DT. Tapia, a professor of political science at the University of Makati, said the Senate should redirect money to “high-accounting, high-level sectors” such as food security, disaster resilience, health, education and digital management.
“In a time of tight finances, cuts only make sense when paired with good spending,” he said, noting that every peso should yield measurable benefits for households.
Mr. Tapia also warned that in reality there should be progress.
“When the public sees the budget, agencies tend to choose projects with clear and immediate results,” he said. “The challenge is to avoid neglecting long-term changes such as digital initiatives and capacity building.”
Public pressure for accountability has fueled subsequent reports of anomalous flood control assignments and commetions.
In response, the senate previously required all 2026 budget documents, including transcripts and hearings, to be posted online. Malacañang also said that the Bicamerol Conference Committee meetings will be allowed.
The Senate intends to approve the budget in third reading on December 9, with bicameral meetings set for December 11 to 13.
