Senator Lacson urges Senate leadership to sustain budget transparency

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Saturday urged the Senate’s current leadership to preserve transparency in the crafting of the national budget, saying the institution should continue serving as a model for accountability in government spending.

Lacson issued the statement less than two months before the Executive branch is set to submit the proposed 2027 national budget to Congress in July.

"Sa panahon ni Sen. Sherwin (Gatchalian) at saka ni Tito Sen (Sotto) as finance chairman and Senate President, papunta na kami doon. And I hope sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, ma-sustain ang ganoon," Lacson said in an interview on DZRH radio.

"Kami na maging halimbawa na parang pagdating sa pagitan ng dalawang houses, kami na yung parang pinaka-Big Brother na tinintigalaan nila para sa pagbalangkas man lang ng national budget, maayos," he added.

Lacson pointed to the role of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian in introducing safeguards during deliberations on the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), including measures aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in the budget process.

During Gatchalian’s tenure as finance committee chairman, the Senate finance panel uploaded budget-related documents online and pushed for the disclosure of lawmakers or offices proposing insertions and amendments to the spending measure, among other reforms.

The 11-member Senate minority bloc is currently backing Gatchalian’s bid for the Senate presidency, which supporters say is part of efforts to restore the chamber’s credibility following recent controversies.

"Sana ma-sustain (ang transparency sa budget) kasi pagdating ng SONA sa July 26, nandiyan na naman ang National Expenditure Program at tatalakayan na ng Kongreso," Lacson said.