Lacson calls for vigilance over 2026 national budget spending

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday urged the public to remain vigilant over the implementation of the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which outlines the P6.793-trillion national budget.

Lacson said it is crucial to monitor how the executive branch spends taxpayers’ money closely.

“The same vigilance shown by the public—led by the Catholic Church, religious groups, and civil society organizations—must be maintained in watching over the budget’s implementation,” Lacson said in a radio interview.

“Our people must not let down their guard because the 2026 budget will show if there is indeed reform in our government and our nation. We must learn from the lessons of corruption in the budgets of 2025 and prior years,” he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to sign the GAA in the first week of January, according to Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

Earlier, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III floated the possibility of a reenacted budget for the beginning of 2026.

While many senators favor reforms, Lacson reminded the public that the 24-member Senate cannot police everything on its own and called on citizens to help monitor the budget’s implementation.

“I hope that since there are only 24 of us, we will have the support of many Filipinos. So I will say, may the force be with us,” he said.—MCG, GMA Integrated News