00:00The ongoing probe on failed and phantom flood-controlled structures has left the phrase
00:05budget insertions with a very bad rap, even though for the most part they are legitimate
00:10and serve the public interest. Shady insertions in the 2025 GAA and before sneaked in by some
00:17lawmakers with personal agendas in mind. Our Daniel Manalastas has more on the insertions
00:23put in by Senators of the 19th Congress in the 2025 National Budget in this report.
00:30As Senate President Pro Tempore Panfinalakson revealed that there are at least 100 billion pesos worth of insertions in the 2025 budget,
00:41Senate President Tito Soto clarified today during the plenary session that amendments or insertions done during the deliberations in the Senate are all part of the regular budget process
00:53and it is within the mandate of the Senators to amend and determine the government's spending allocation.
01:00However, Soto said, there are ghost projects.
01:04It serves as a crucial check and balance mechanism to ensure that public funds are spent in accordance with the law.
01:16It is unfortunate that the issue on ghost projects and failed flood control projects affect and generalize all amendments as illegal or improper.
01:29Soto added that some amendments are for the good, like the additional classrooms, farm-to-market roads and more.
01:36I would like to make it clear that whatever budgetary amendments the Senators proposed or propose,
01:46the money for these projects do not in any way go through the Senate or the Senator,
01:53as some of our kababayans think.
01:56It goes directly to the implementing agencies under the Executive Department.
02:02Sen. J.P. Ejercito echoes Soto's sentiments, saying that not all amendments are bad,
02:08especially those which help agencies and departments.
02:13He added that one of their tasks is to introduce amendments after the budget hearings
02:17to support and further improve programs and projects.
02:21Laxon, meanwhile, clarified that introducing insertions are not illegal
02:26and it is within their mandate as lawmakers.
02:29However, he cited the problem wherein some lawmakers allegedly abuse this mandate.
02:36He, meanwhile, hopes that in the 2026 budget, they will practice self-restraint.
02:42Daniel Marastas from the National TV Network for a New and Better Philippines.
