Monetary Board Member (MBM) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and former Budget chief Benjamin E. Diokno urged the Marcos Jr. administration and legislators to pass the proposed ₱ 6.793-trillion 2026 national budget without “insertions,” or funds that are not part of the President’s priority programs and projects.

Speaking at Kapihan sa Manila Prince Hotel on Wednesday, Oct. 1, Diokno discussed the topic “Will the Budget Outcome Be Different This Time?” where he highlighted the importance of the 2026 budget process.

To ensure smooth budget passage, “this new Congress must demonstrate that it is different from the previous one,” Diokno said in Filipino, referring to the current 20th Congress.

It was the preceding 19th Congress that passed the ₱6.326-trillion 2025 budget, which critics had assailed as the national government’s “most corrupt” annual spending plan in history.

Diokno described the national budget as the most consequential piece of legislation expected from Congress, stressing that its timely approval is crucial.

He highlighted that over the last three years, the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) budget has been steadily reduced, with a 51.4-percent cut in 2025—from ₱180.9 billion in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to ₱88 billion in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

According to Diokno, the DOTr budget is essential for long-term infrasrtructure projects, including the Metro Manila subway system.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in contrast, was the “biggest gainer” in the 2025 GAA, receiving a 21-percent increase.

The DPWH is now in the middle of a corruption scandal involving “ghost” and ineffective flood control despite billions of pesos spent on such projects these past few years.

Diokno also noted that unprogrammed appropriations (UA) have grown significantly over the last three years, rising from the proposed 2025 NEP of ₱158.7 million to ₱363.4 million—a 129-percent increase under the 2025 GAA signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

UAs are “the parade ground of corruption,” he warned, referring to locally funded projects included under this category.

Since UAs are not covered by regular budget financing, they can only be funded by excess or new tax and non-tax revenues, as well as foreign loans for specific projects and programs.

In the 2026 budget proposal, UAs dropped to ₱249.9 billion from ₱363.4 billion this year and ₱531.4 billion last year.

Diokno clarified that his comments were general observations on the budget process, not directed at any individual, and reiterated that the 2026 budget must be a top priority.

He emphasized that the country does not need new laws, citing that existing constitutional provisions and proper governance practices are sufficient, “Everything’s in place. The Philippines is ready to shine,” he added.

Former senator Joey Lina also echoed Diokno’s call, affirming that the 2026 budget should be passed accordingly.

(Ricardo M. Austria)