Marcos Warns Against‍ Budget Anomalies, ⁢Lacson Urges‍ Lawmakers to Heed Warning

MANILA,⁢ Philippines – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos ⁣Jr. has issued a stern warning ⁢against budget insertions and⁤ involvement in anomalous flood control projects, a stance that Senator Panfilo Lacson believes should serve as a crucial signal to lawmakers. The President’s commitment to ⁣scrutinizing the national budget, particularly the general Appropriations Bill (GAB), aims to ensure alignment with the National Expenditure ⁢Program and prevent ⁢the ⁤recurrence of what he termed “mangled” budgets.

Flood Control Budget Surges⁣ Amidst Concerns

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ‌has seen a ‌substantial increase in its budget for flood control‌ measures. An investigation by the Senate Committee on Public Works in 2024 revealed a critically ⁢important jump from⁤ P42 billion in 2015 to P244.57 billion in 2024, with an estimated total expenditure ‍of P1 ⁢trillion‍ over a decade.

DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan⁤ indicated that more projects are in the pipeline for the upcoming⁤ year.⁤ The department is prioritizing ⁤the desilting of major rivers to enhance their water-carrying capacity. ‌Bonoan ‍highlighted that major rivers in Metro Manila are currently 70 percent silted, and the existing drainage systems⁤ are inadequate⁤ and⁤ in disrepair.

“The ​rivers are also⁤ heavily‍ silted. The riverbeds are too⁣ shallow. The ⁣major rivers [in Metro Manila] ‍ for the longest time have not been dredged. We need ⁣to increase the carrying capacity and discharge capacity of our rivers, particularly the big ones,”⁣ Bonoan stated, emphasizing the urgent need for these infrastructure improvements.

Lacson Calls⁢ for Accountability and Transparency

Senator Panfilo Lacson⁤ urged his colleagues​ in Congress to heed President marcos’ warning regarding budget insertions and potential involvement in irregular flood control projects. Lacson described the President’s directive to conduct an inventory of flood control projects, identifying failures or “ghost” projects, and to root out anomalous⁢ items in the budget bill ​as a “tedious but workable” endeavor.

Lacson interpreted the President’s⁤ pronouncement during his State of ‍the Nation Address (SONA) as a⁣ direct message ⁤to lawmakers.”The pronouncement that those involved in ‌anomalies in the flood control programs and the national budget should be​ ashamed should cut to‌ the bone. ⁢Those who don’t feel any shame would simply be bad⁢ to the bone,”‌ Lacson remarked in a radio interview.

The President ​has also declared⁢ his intention to return any proposed General Appropriations Bill​ for 2026 that is not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program,even if it means​ resorting to ⁢a reenacted budget. Lacson cautioned about the inherent dangers of a reenacted⁣ budget,particularly in light of the 2025 GAA,which he described as⁣ being “mangled beyond recognition” due to numerous anomalies.

Lacson suggested that the ​President’s ​stance presents an ‌possibility for lawmakers to‌ manage constituent expectations⁣ regarding fund augmentations for local projects. “So I just hope both houses⁣ of ⁤Congress get the cue‍ not ⁣to play around ‍with the budget,” ⁤he added.

House Pledges ​Enhanced oversight‍ and​ Inclusivity

In response⁢ to the President’s call for greater fiscal discipline and transparency, House Speaker Martin Romualdez ‍announced that watchdogs ‌would be permitted to ⁤participate ⁤in national budget deliberations.

“We will‍ open the bicameral conference to ⁢civil society observers,” Romualdez stated. “We will allow the participation of watchdogs in⁣ all budget deliberations, from committee to the plenary.”

Romualdez further committed to ⁢strengthening the‍ House’s oversight functions, ‍including conducting mid-year performance reviews of all government⁣ agencies. The House⁣ also plans to initiate a extensive congressional review of all infrastructure projects and their fund ​implementation to ensure accountability and efficiency.