Senator Win Gatchalian has taken a resolute stand: he will reject “alien” items in the proposed 2026 national budget during the bicameral conference, which is the final stage before the measure is submitted for the President’s approval.

“Yan yung aming pag-iingatan moving forward, lalo na sa bicam conference. Hindi na tayo papayag sa mga alien projects, meaning projects na wala sa original proposal o ‘yung bigla na lang pumapasok sa bicam,” said Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance.

“Unang una, hindi namin napag-usapan ‘yan at pangalawa, masisira ang buong budget process,” he added. 

The senator reiterated such commitment following Senator Ping Lacson’s revelation that certain officials in the executive department had misrepresented the President and managed to insert ₱100 billion worth of allocations during the bicameral conference for this year’s budget.

 “That’s why I laud your effort na maging transparent hanggang sa bicam. Wala nang ‘alien’ items na papasok outside of the House and Senate versions,” Lacson told Gatchalian, acknowledging the Finance Committee chair for leading the way toward what could be the most transparent and corruption-free national budget of all time.

Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS GATCHALIAN