Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno explained why members of the National Unity Party (NUP) voted in favor of the NUP House budget bill, despite recognizing the need for changes in the proposed national budget.
During a meeting between the NUP and the People’s Budget Coalition (PBC), PBC Co-convenor Kenneth Isaiah Ibasco Abante questioned why the party supported the House version of the budget despite its proposed reforms and objections to certain provisions.
In response, Puno said the party had initially considered abstaining from the vote but eventually decided to support the measure due to political considerations within the House of Representatives.
He explained that the NUP has 58 members in the House and that party unity in voting was expected among its lawmakers.
Puno added that the party also considered its limited ability to alter the outcome of the voting process given its numbers.
He further said members were concerned that voting against the measure could lead to accusations that they had contributed to delays in the passage of the national budget.
According to Puno, proposals for amendments can still be discussed in the next stage of the process, particularly in the bicameral conference committee, where Senate and House representatives will reconcile their respective versions of the budget.
The PBC said it welcomed the NUP’s explanations in order to better understand the party’s position and identify potential areas for cooperation.
However, the coalition emphasized that lawmakers who voted in favor of the House General Appropriations Bill remain accountable for their decision, regardless of their reasons for supporting the measure.
The PBC also stressed the importance of establishing concrete steps to address issues identified in the current version of the proposed budget.
Despite differences on several matters, both the NUP and the PBC expressed willingness to work together in advancing reforms in the national budget preparation and review process.
The coalition previously raised concerns over nearly 7,000 infrastructure projects worth approximately P190 billion included in the House version of the proposed 2027 national budget.
According to the PBC, these projects allegedly lack sufficient publicly available supporting documents.
Budget watchdog groups continue to advocate for greater transparency in government spending, including clearer documentation and justification for projects included in the national budget.