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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Tulfo wants joint congressional oversight panel to conduct random inspection of gov't projects

Tulfo wants joint congressional oversight panel to conduct random inspection of gov't projects

Published Jan 11, 2026 02:46 pm

At A Glance

  • Sen. Erwin Tulfo pushed for a random on-ground inspection as he expressed support to the creation of a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor the implementation of programs and projects funded under this year's national budget.

Senator Erwin Tulfo urged Congress on Sunday, January 11 to conduct a random inspection of all government projects that are funded under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Senator Erwin Tulfo (Senate PRIB photo)
Senator Erwin Tulfo (Senate PRIB photo)

Tulfo pushed for a random on-ground inspection as he expressed support to the creation of a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor the implementation of programs and projects funded under this year’s national budget.

“If you will ask me, I would not just rely on the report from the secretary or the directors. We probably really need a person on the ground to conduct random checks," said Tulfo, vice chairperson of the Committee on Finance.

He said this will ensure that people’s money would not be squandered and to ensure that projects listed under the budget are really being carried out.

“We’ve seen how regional directors cover for district engineers and how even secretaries can be involved,” Tulfo said pointing to the controversy surrounding the government’s flood control projects.

Tulfo said he agrees that both houses of Congress should have oversight mechanisms—committees—to monitor national spending.

“We just came out of 2025, where the budget was really squandered. Of course, we have to make sure that this won't happen again and that the people's money will truly go to the right purposes this year,” he said.

Moreover, the senator said the oversight committee should look into allegations that some members of Congress have supposedly inserted or endorsed some pet projects in the 2026 budget.

He, likewise, expressed readiness to be part of the oversight committee after Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate finance panel, said that all vice chairpersons would be part of the panel.

“I will really push for us to witness the implementation of the projects. There are so many projects. Big projects, small projects, farm-to-market roads, irrigation projects. We can inspect them randomly,” he said.

Earlier this month, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed the 2026 national budget into law, vetoing the P92.5-billion worth of projects under the unprogrammed appropriations (UA).

Related Tags

2026 national budget Erwin Tulfo General Appropriations Act 2026 Joint Congressional Oversight Committee
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