MANILA — Senator Erwin Tulfo is pushing for random on-ground inspections of government projects as he backed the creation of a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor programs and projects funded under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Tulfo said relying solely on reports from agencies is not enough to ensure that public funds are properly spent.

“If you will ask me, I would not just rely on the report from the secretary or the directors. We probably really need a person on the ground to conduct random checks,” said Tulfo, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, in a statement.

“For example, is a project really being carried out?” he said.

“We’ve seen how regional directors cover for district engineers and how even secretaries can be involved,” he added.

Tulfo expressed support for congressional oversight following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s signing of the 2026 national budget into law earlier this week, which included the veto of P92.5 billion worth of projects under the unprogrammed appropriations.

“I agree that both Houses of Congress should have oversight mechanisms—committees—to monitor spending in the 2026 budget,” Tulfo said, citing the mishandling of funds for flood control projects in previous years.

“We just came out of 2025, where the budget was really squandered. Of course, we have to make sure that this won’t happen again and that the people’s money will truly go to the right purposes this year,” he added.

Asked about the credibility of the proposed oversight committee amid claims that some lawmakers inserted or endorsed pet projects in the 2026 budget, Tulfo said the purpose of a joint oversight committee is to ensure the credibility of reports.

When told that Sen. Win Gatchalian, chairperson of the Finance Committee, proposed that all vice chairpersons be included in the oversight committee, Tulfo welcomed the move.

“Oh, thank God that I am included (in the oversight committee). I will really push for us to witness the implementation of the projects. There are so many projects. Big projects, small projects, farm-to-market roads, irrigation projects. We can inspect them randomly,” he said.