By AJ Alarcon

On Sunday, December 28, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson urged the public to remain vigilant over the implementation of the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which was vowed to be “free of corruption.”

In a DWIZ radio interview, Lacson stated, “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.”

He also said that the vigilance shown by religious groups and civil society organizations during the bicameral deliberations must be maintained over the executive branch’s use of public funds in 2026.

“We must learn from the lessons of corruption in the budgets of 2025 and prior years,” Lacson added.

Moreover, he explained that the 24 members of the Senate cannot monitor everything on their own, needing the help of citizens to watch over the spending of the funds.

Several general and special provisions are included in the 2026 budget to serve as safeguards in its execution, including disallowing guarantee letters and assistance given in the name of politicians.

The Senate also mandated monthly oversight of infrastructure and farm-to-market road projects, which should include grid coordinates for the media and public to monitor.

Furthermore, Lacson said that Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) should be implemented under the Universal Health Care program and law.

The GAA is set to be signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the first week of January 2026.