Manila – Questions over transparency in government spending have surfaced after reports revealed that about ₱100 billion worth of “insertions” were included in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said his review of the budget showed that many lawmakers in the 19th Congress made individual insertions, most of which were marked as “for later release.” He admitted being surprised at the scale of the amount, calling it unprecedented.
Lacson compared the situation to the period before the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) was declared unconstitutional, when only hundreds of millions were typically involved. This time, he noted, the figures reached into the billions, raising serious concerns.
The senator stressed the need for greater transparency in the allocation of funds and called on those responsible for the insertions to explain how the amounts will be used. He warned that without accountability, the funds could end up benefiting only a few.
The Senate is expected to continue scrutinizing the 2025 budget as more details about the insertions emerge.