Two major teachers’ groups on Wednesday, August 13, criticized Senator Raffy Tulfo for his recent remarks against Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), urging him instead to direct his “gigil” toward addressing the government’s chronic underfunding of public schools. The Alliance of Concerned...
In a bid for transparency, Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III wants all budget deliberations to be accessible to the public through livestreaming. Sotto had this to say he expressed full support for Concurrent Joint Resolution No. 4, filed by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. Backed...
Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Wednesday, Aug. 13, pushed anew to make public the proponents of all amendments - including insertions - in the budget process. Lacson, an eagle-eyed watchdog of the national budget, said this will make the proponents answerable for flood control and other...
President Marcos has submitted to Congress a proposed ₱6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, saying it marks a deliberate shift from infrastructure-heavy investments to greater funding for the country’s human capital. In his budget message, the President said that while the administration...
Three days were added to the legislative calendar of the first regular session of the 20th Congress to accommodate the timely transmittal, deliberation, and approval of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB). This was made through the adoption on Tuesday, Aug. 12, of Senate Concurrent...
President Marcos has received the copy of the proposed national budget for next year, amounting to P6.793 trillion. Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman officially turned over the Fiscal Year 2026 National Expenditure Program to Marcos on Tuesday, Aug. 12, in a...
Tempered household consumption, still reeling from the pandemic-induced recession, is weighing on the Philippine growth outlook, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). With private consumption—which accounts for more than 70 percent of the local economy—showing “weak momentum,”...
The Senate is unanimously supporting the House of Representatives call to open bicameral conference committee meetings during the crafting of the national budget. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, said the Senate has unanimously signed and filed Senate...
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) is prepared to continue its programs even if Congress decides to cut its proposed P903-million budget for 2026, its spokesperson said on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Speaking to reporters, OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo said they will respect any decision by lawmakers...
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has vowed to work with Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian to ensure transparency in the budget process as deliberations on the P6.793-trillion draws near. This, after Gatchalian, who now chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, vowed to ensure transparency in the...
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting to more than double its budget to nearly ₱200 billion in 2026 to fund the administration’s big-ticket transportation projects after last year’s massive cut. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said he is seeking a budget of about ₱197...
In order to dispel criticisms and lingering questions, the Senate will ensure that the entire budget process would be posted on the government’s website and made available for public scrutiny. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who now chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, pointed this out saying the...
