MANILA — Malacañang is encouraging budget watchdogs and civil society organizations (CSOs) to help identify possible irregularities in the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, as the government pushes for greater transparency and accountability in public spending.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said Tuesday that the Palace is open to working with groups monitoring the national budget and reviewing their findings to ensure that public funds are allocated properly.
Castro urged budget watchdogs and civil society groups to submit documents detailing questionable allocations or potential irregularities directly to Malacañang through the PCO, so these can also be brought to the attention of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“To those monitoring the budget, if you have a copy of something you noticed and found to be a red flag, just let us know, give us a copy, the PCO itself, because the President will also need this,” Castro said during a press briefing.
She reiterated the President’s directive that government funds must benefit the public and must not be diverted for personal gain.
“The president’s directive is that public funds must not be abused. Public funds should go to the people, not into anyone’s pockets,” she said in Filipino.
PALACE RECOGNIZES ROLE OF BUDGET WATCHDOGS
Castro stressed that independent budget monitors play an important role in helping the government detect questionable spending proposals and prevent the misuse of public funds.
She said the administration needs the participation of watchdog organizations and civil society groups to strengthen transparency and accountability in the budget process.
“Budget watchdogs are needed by the government,” Castro said.
The Palace also assured the public that the President would not approve budget amendments that lack proper supporting documents, clear project descriptions, and concrete justifications.
Castro’s remarks came amid growing scrutiny of proposed allocations in the 2027 national budget, particularly following concerns raised by monitoring groups over alleged insertions in the House of Representatives’ version of the spending measure.
PROPOSED BUDGET STILL SUBJECT TO REVIEW
Castro explained that the proposed 2027 national budget still has to undergo further scrutiny before it reaches the President for approval.
The measure will first go through the bicameral conference committee, where members of the House of Representatives and the Senate will reconcile their respective versions of the General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
The consolidated measure will then undergo review by the President’s economic team before it is submitted to Marcos for his consideration and signature.
The Palace’s assurance against undocumented or inadequately explained amendments comes as lawmakers work to finalize the proposed spending plan for the next fiscal year.
HOUSE APPROVES P7.2-TRILLION SPENDING PLAN
The House of Representatives approved its version of the proposed P7.2-trillion 2027 General Appropriations Bill on third and final reading on October 12.
The approval came after budget watchdogs and civil society organizations raised concerns over alleged insertions and questionable allocations in the House-approved measure.
These groups have called for closer examination of proposed government spending to ensure that projects have clear purposes, sufficient documentation, and identifiable beneficiaries.
The proposed national budget covers government expenditures for 2027, including funding for public services, infrastructure, social programs, education, health, and other government operations.
As the measure proceeds through the remaining stages of congressional deliberations, the participation of independent budget monitors is expected to remain an important part of public scrutiny.
Malacañang’s appeal signals its willingness to receive information from outside monitoring groups as the government reviews the proposed spending plan before it is finalized.