MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson expressed optimism that the 2026 national budget will help bring positive change for Filipinos, citing safeguards put in place by lawmakers and the need for continued public vigilance against the abuse of public funds.

Lacson said he holds high hopes for the budget with safeguards and transparency measures included, crediting the Senate panel in the bicameral conference committee led by Senate Finance Committee Chair Sherwin Gatchalian for pushing for these provisions.

“Amid all the disinformation and unreasonable criticisms, we have all the reasons to be proud of our Senate panel under the leadership of our Finance Chair Senator Win. I give my two thumbs up from start to finish,” Lacson said.

“We do not live in a perfect world, much less in an ideal situation, so we cannot be perfectionists and idealistic given the circumstances. That’s why adjustments must be made both ways,” he added.

Among the safeguards included by the Senate are the prohibition of guarantee letters and any form of “epal” in all forms of aid, the strict implementation of Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) under the Universal Health Care program in compliance with the UHC law, and monthly oversight of infrastructure and farm-to-market road projects, including the use of grid coordinates for easier monitoring by the media and the public.

Lacson also reiterated his call for the public to remain vigilant against abuses of public funds even after the budget is ratified by Congress and signed into law by the President.

“As long as we all remain vigilant in guarding against abuse of public funds, we can always remain hopeful that things can change for the better,” he said.