Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson reiterated his push for clear and foolproof safeguards in the P6.793-trillion proposed budget for 2026 to prevent abuse and political patronage, especially in at least three contentious issues. In particular, Lacson said there must be no political...
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday, December 15 appealed to members of the Senate and House of Representatives to reconsider the decision on medical assisistance funds under the proposed 2026 national budget. Ejercito, who couldn’t attend the bicameral conference committee as a...
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Sunday, December 14 has urged Congress to restore the funds that were slashed from its budget for next year, making senators skeptical of the agency’s sudden request. Dizon was present during the second day of the bicameral...
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson warned on Sunday, December 14, that restoring the items cut from the proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at the bicameral conference committee level will reopen the floodgates to insertion. Lacson made this...
As lawmakers start threshing out the differing provisions in their version of the 2026 national budget, senators zeroed in on the questionable budget increase for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) and farm-to-market roads (FMR). Senate President Pro...
The Bicarmeral Conference Committee hearings on the P6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) or proposed national budget for 2026 will begin Saturday, Dec. 13, with more eyes expected to watch every move of the lawmaker-participants than in any other bicam in history. For the first time...
The Senate on Tuesday, December 9 said it will be extending its sessions until December 23 for the passage of the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026. It was Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri who announced the adjustment in the Upper Chamber’s legislative calendar, saying...
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said on Thursday, Dec. 4, that the Senate is working to resolve the remaining issues with proposed amendments to the 2026 national budget, to keep the timetable on track. In a chance interview, Sotto responded to questions on whether disagreements have...
Malacañang has accused Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga, who is facing a 60-day suspension at the House of Representatives, of using President Marcos ' name to justify his acts of disinformation. "[S]a ating nakikita rito, ginagamit lamang ang pangalan ni Pangulong Marcos Jr....
The House Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is now finalizing the bill that would protect mobile phone users against unsolicited digital communications. Rep. Miguel Luis “Migz” Villafuerte, chairman of the panel, said the technical working group (TWG) is now...
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has refuted claims that the Senate—particularly he and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson—had cut the budgets of congressional districts, calling the accusations “unfounded” and “black propaganda.” Sotto said this on...
Malacañang distanced President Marcos from fresh rumors of a looming House leadership change, stressing that the speakership is entirely an internal matter of the House of Representatives and not something the Chief Executive controls. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire...
