Sotto: Senate out to block 'insertions' in 2026 budget

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Saturday said senators will not allow any last-minute insertions in the proposed 2026 national budget as both chambers of Congress prepare to convene the bicameral conference committee next week.

In an interview over DWIZ, Sotto confirmed the Senate is set to approve the budget on third and final reading on Tuesday, after passing it on second reading on Thursday.

“Hindi na puwedeng may dadagdag o mag-insert. ’Di ako papayag noon (We [the Senate panel] will no longer allow insertions. I will not agree to that),” Sotto said, in response to public concerns that lawmakers may again attempt to restore so-called insertions during the bicam.

He also gave assurance that no “allocable” funds remain in the proposed budget for discretionary use, except for items under "unprogrammed appropriations," which depend on revenue availability.

“Allocable funds” refers to funds that the executive branch allocated for lawmakers, which they can assign or allocate to specific projects or agencies during the budget process. It has been branded as a new form of "pork barrel" funding.

Sotto criticized past budget practices wherein funding for programmed and unprogrammed funds were swapped, particularly in the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which he said amounted to “hundreds of billions.”

According to the Senate President, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the Senate finance committee, has already arranged the bicam’s opening on December 10.

Sotto said he expects debates between senators and House members, particularly on adjustments made to the Department of DPWH budget and on amendments pushed by individual legislators.

He, however, expressed optimism that bicam discussions among chamber leaders will “most likely be easier.”

Sotto said he anticipates bicam members to debate over “soft projects” such as Medical Assistance to Indigent Patients (MAIP) under the Department of Health and AICS under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Responding to questions on minority senators asking for more detailed listings of amendments, Sotto said the full list exists with the finance chair. The chamber simply opted to work with summaries to avoid prolonging proceedings, he said.

"Nagtataka nga ako bakit yun ang tinatanong nila, sila nga yung maraming insertion dun eh, ay amendments dun eh, (I was wondering why they kept raising questions about that when they were had the biggest insertions--I meant amendments)," he said.—MCG, GMA Integrated News