House majority parties back full disclosure on 2027 district allocations

Majority parties in the House of Representatives expressed support on Monday for the full disclosure of congressional district allocations under the proposed 2027 national budget.

In a press conference, representatives of the National Unity Party (NUP), the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), and the Nacionalista Party (NP) voiced support for the move.

The groups underscored that with the full disclosure of the budget, district representatives were compelled to explain how funds are distributed in their respective areas and what specific projects will be funded.

“Ang mga distrito po ay iba-iba. Iba-iba po ang character. Iba-iba po ang lokasyon. So 'yung iba may kailangan na mga sea wall. Sa urbanized area, wala,” Camarines Sur 4th District Representative Arnie Fuentebella said.

(Districts vary in character and location. Some areas need seawalls, while urbanized areas do not.)

“So regarding this matter, wala po kaming problema na ipakita kung ano 'yung mga proyekto sa kanya-kanyang distrito,” he added.

(Regarding this matter, we have no problem disclosing the projects lined up for our respective district.)

Surigao del Sur 1st District Representative Romeo Momo Sr. doubled down on Fuentebella’s point, noting the NP’s non-objection to disclosing district allocations.

Momo pointed out that given the varying needs of each district, funding allocations naturally differ. Because of these distinct regional needs, he argued, allocations should be scrutinized to ensure every district receives sufficient funding for its programs.

“We believe that there is no equal allocation in each district, wala hong equal talaga, otherwise hindi na tayo magdi-discuss pa dito ng review ng ating budget kung pare-parehas lang naman. The distribution of the budget is on the needs of its district,” Momo said.

(We believe that there is no equal allocation for each district—there is truly no uniform amount. Otherwise, we wouldn't even be discussing a budget review here if everything were identical. The distribution of the budget is based on the needs of each district.)

“Kaya nga kanina sinabi ni Cong Abet na iba-iba ang karakteristik ng bawat distrito. May malalaking distrito, may mga distritong dinadaanan ng bagyo, may mga distrito maraming river systems, may mga distrito na laging prone to typhoon and earthquakes. So lahat po ito'y kinukonsider ng distribution ng ating budget,” he added.

(That's why Congressman Abet earlier mentioned that every district has different characteristics. There are large districts, districts hit frequently by typhoons, districts with extensive river systems, and districts prone to earthquakes. All of these factors are considered in the distribution of our budget.)

Representing Lakas-CMD and the PFP respectively, Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Janice Degamo and Davao del Norte 2nd District Representative JM Lagdameo likewise expressed support for the full disclosure of congressional district budgets.

Degamo said all members of Lakas are open to disclosing their budgets, stressing that they have nothing to hide.

In October, the House approved on final reading its proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for fiscal year 2027 under House Bill No. 10858.

Even as the measure is already under review in the Senate, several sectors continue to raise concerns over amendments made by the House Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee (BARSc).

The People's Budget Coalition (PBC) watchdog flagged over P1 trillion in "red flags" under the House-approved 2027 budget, particularly regarding various forms of discretionary or "pork" funds.

Among those cited by the PBC are P210 billion in "soft pork" in the form of patronage-driven aid, P695 billion in "hard pork" or politicized infrastructure, and P112 billion in "shadow pork" or unprogrammed appropriations.

Through Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno of Antipolo, the NUP earlier announced its members' willingness to disclose the budget amendments they included in the proposed 2027 budget.

Puno said he had already taken the lead by disclosing and explaining his district's projects directly to the PBC. — BM, GMA News

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