Senate leaders laud P6.793-trillion 2026 budget as most transparent

Senate leaders hailed the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 as the most transparent in recent memory due to its open and public approval process.

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri stated that every stage of the budget process was conducted in full public view, with proceedings livestreamed and archived.

They emphasized that transparency was a core policy, with no clandestine deals, last-minute insertions, or amendments made without public scrutiny.

The bicameral conference committee proceedings, which concluded after four days, are seen as the "new normal" for the Senate.

The education sector received the largest share of the national budget at P1.38 trillion, or 20 percent of total spending, to support learning recovery, better classrooms, and stronger support for teachers.

Senator Panfilo Lacson urged the public and lawmakers to remain watchful against potential abuses of public funds.