MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the Senate stands “four-square” behind the panel led by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian in pushing for full transparency in the proposed 2026 national budget.

Lacson made the statement amid a new issue involving farm-to-market road (FMR) projects that were allegedly not properly identified in the budget bill.

“We stand four-square behind the efforts of the Senate panel behind Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian to uphold full transparency in the 2026 budget bill,” Lacson said.

He said the FMR concern surfaced as issues involving the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) and the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) request to restore its budget cuts were nearing resolution, following DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon’s apology to the Senate for submitting “insufficient data” during bicameral deliberations.

Lacson said at least P5 billion worth of FMR projects were not properly identified and were even revised from what the Senate approved on third reading.

“With equal urgency and importance is the new FMR issue raised by Sen. Francis Pangilinan. At least P5 billion worth of FMR projects are not properly identified, even revised from what the Senate approved on third reading: no grid coordinates, description, etc. Based on our majority caucus yesterday, we cannot and will not allow that,” Lacson said. “For the sake of full transparency, we stand four-square behind our panel under the leadership of its chairman, Sen. Gatchalian.”

In an interview on GTV’s Balitanghali, Lacson said the Department of Agriculture (DA) must explain and correct the issue so lawmakers can complete the bicameral conference committee proceedings on time.

He cited initial information indicating that the DA did not know the source of the questionable P5 billion in FMR items, raising concerns of possible corruption.

“Where did the new items come from? This might be another case of corruption. The public is still angry over the anomalous flood control projects, yet there seems to be an attempt to circumvent this by inserting funds into other infrastructure projects,” Lacson said in Filipino.

Lacson said both chambers of Congress must remove all signs of corruption in the 2026 budget bill, even if it results in extended deliberations or a reenacted 2025 budget.

“My position is – Better a reenacted budget in January or even in the entire first quarter of 2026 than an unchecked, corruption-conducive and worse, graft-ridden GAA. Most of my colleagues, at least in the majority bloc share the same sentiment,” he said.

On the DPWH appeal to restore its budget, Lacson said any Senate decision would be conveyed to the House of Representatives through the Senate panel.

“There should be no new items inserted into the budget. Otherwise, the floodgates will be opened to insertions, and we in the Senate will not allow that,” he said.

Lacson also urged members of the bicameral conference committee to further uphold transparency by disclosing discussions held during suspensions of deliberations.

“It would be better if they suspended the discussions but divulge what was discussed behind the cameras, to uphold transparency,” he said.

He added that he welcomed reforms undertaken by the Senate, including livestreaming budget deliberations, saying he is no longer alone in pushing for changes in the budget process.

“At the end of the day, I am happy that under the 20th Congress and under the leadership of Senate President Sotto, I am no longer on a lonesome and lonely crusade to reform the national budget,” Lacson said.

“It’s about time. This is our opportunity, especially now that the public is aware and angry over corruption. We must not waste it,” he added.