MANILA — The Senate will not allow the reenactment in 2026 of the 2025 national budget, which has been described as “corrupt to the core,” Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said.

Lacson said this is why the Senate is implementing measures to ensure transparency in the deliberations on the 2026 budget bill, including the livestreaming of the bicameral conference committee.

“Passing the 2026 budget bill is important. Without it, we may have a reenacted budget, and we will not allow that. If the 2025 budget is reenacted, we will see large lump sum appropriations coming from a 2025 budget that has had so many problems,” he said in Filipino in an interview on DWIZ radio.

Lacson, known for scrutinizing the national budget, said the Senate adjusted its schedule after issues surfaced during the hearings. He cited the extension of the discussions on the general principles of the budget from one day to three days, as well as issues raised in the deliberation of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) budget.

“Many anomalies were bared in the deliberation of the NIA’s budget so they need to return. These are unforeseen circumstances,” he said.

Lacson said the reforms adopted — including livestreaming the bicameral conference committee and prohibiting “alien” items — may also speed up budget proceedings by discouraging insertions.

“The best reform introduced so far is that the bicam will not allow the insertion of any item that is not in the Senate or House version. This way, we will simplify and even possibly shorten the proceedings as there will be no more insertions or dealings,” he said.