Lawmaker vows 2026 budget scrutiny

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — As the people have spoken against corruption, it is now the turn of Congress to do its part in ensuring transparency and real reforms in the budget, Bacolod City Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said yesterday.

“The rallies we saw today and in previous days show our people’s deep and growing frustration with corruption. They are a loud call for honesty, accountability and reform,” Benitez said.

“As Congress begins deliberations on the national budget today, we must take that message to the heart,” he added. “As an independent voice of the House, I will continue to scrutinize this budget with a critical eye.”

Diokno: Release SALNs

To prevent corruption and promote transparency, government officials – especially those in Congress – should make their annual statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) available to the public, Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno urged yesterday.

Diokno and his fellow Akbayan lawmakers have made their SALNs public.

For its part, the Bagong Henerasyon party-list said the protest embodies the “noblest tradition of our people: peaceful, principled and unafraid.”