The Senate is set to subject the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 to open deliberations as lawmakers face growing public scrutiny over government spending.
Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, the new chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, said the chamber will continue reforms aimed at making the budget process more transparent and preventing last-minute changes from escaping scrutiny.
Ejercito said the process will add to the workload of senators, who are simultaneously attending the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in the morning and plenary sessions in the afternoon.
“To be honest with you, it’s really exhausting. This is the only time I felt this in my entire stay in the Senate,” Ejercito said in an interview with Cebu media on Friday.
Despite the demanding schedule, Ejercito said the Finance Committee will closely examine proposed allocations and require changes to undergo proper scrutiny.
He said amendments and insertions are not inherently problematic when they address legitimate gaps in the budget, but these should be presented openly during plenary deliberations.
“Not all amendments and insertions are bad, but it should be done in open plenary,” Ejercito said.
He said the Senate will also maintain an open bicameral conference committee process and will not allow last-minute insertions or amendments during the bicam stage.
Ejercito said civil society organizations, members of the academe and other stakeholders would also be encouraged to participate in the budget process so they can observe and scrutinize how public funds are allocated.
The push for greater transparency comes as lawmakers face renewed scrutiny over infrastructure spending following allegations involving irregularities in flood-control projects.
Ejercito said the government should first address deficiencies in existing projects, including unfinished sections needed to make flood-control structures effective, before proceeding with new construction.
He said the same approach should apply to other government programs, with the committee examining whether proposed spending addresses actual needs and benefits the public.
Healthcare will be among the committee’s priorities, with Ejercito seeking stronger funding for the implementation of Universal Health Care and PhilHealth.
He said improving access to healthcare remains one of his commitments and that the budget should provide sufficient resources for hospitals, health facilities and medical services.
Transportation and major infrastructure projects will also be reviewed, including the proposed Mindanao railway system and other projects intended to support economic activity and improve connectivity.
Ejercito said the Finance Committee’s role is not simply to approve or reduce allocations but to scrutinize the proposed expenditures and determine where funding is needed, where gaps remain and where adjustments are justified.
Photo by Kaiser Jan Fuentes
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