SWP urged President Bongbong Marcos to veto questionable funds.
Social Watch Philippines (SWP) encouraged President Bongbong Marcos to veto several “highly questionable items.”
Watchdog group Social Watch Philippines (SWP) has been urging President Bongbong Marcos to veto or reject the “questionable funds” in the proposed 2026 national budget. This fund is about ₱319 billion from the ratified 2026 national budget bill.
It was argued that portions of the spending plan could be prone to misuse or lack sufficient transparency. Hence, their encouragement for the president to veto these allocations or take actions to prevent potential abuse before signing the budget into law.
“The 2026 budget is not people-centered, despite what the Bicam Committee claims. It is extremely disappointing how Congress ignores the public’s anger over unprecedented levels of corruption and the alarming use of public funds to promote patronage politics,” said Dr. Ma. Victoria Raquiza, Co-Convenor of Social Watch Philippines.
According to the SWP, the following programs should be vetoed:
- ₱81.94 billion increase in the Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP) and the Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) program under the Convergence and Special Support Program (CSSP) (Department of Public Works and Highways). The SWP said these overlap with various projects under existing DPWH programs.
- ₱8.9 billion Farm-to-Market Roads (Department of Agriculture), described by the group as a last-minute adjustment requested during the bicam, which did not go through public scrutiny during the House and Senate hearings.
- ₱10 billion Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk (DA). “This duplicates funding, as financial subsidies or assistance worth ₱8.55 billion are already spread across existing DA programs and projects,” said the SWP.
- ₱2.73 billion for the Tulong Dunong Program (Commission on Higher Education) – A duplication inserted by the House. The group cited CHED has already allocated ₱37.55 billion to cover the cost of universal access to tertiary education for all Filipino students enrolled in higher education institutions.
- ₱15.33 billion Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program for Local Government Units or LGUs (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund). “This overlaps with other regular programs of the NDRRMF,” said the SWP.
- ₱23.048 million Philippine Pavilion at the 2026 United Nations Climate Conference (Climate Change Commission). The group claimed that this is a bicam insertion, as it was not included in either the House or Senate versions.
- ₱5.25 billion Confidential funds (various agencies). “As a general rule, civilian agencies must not engage in surveillance activities nor implement secret expenses. The President should lead by example by removing the confidential funds of his office,” said the SWP.
- ₱138 billion for social protection and assistance programs with “questionable increases.” This is composed of DOH Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (₱51.6 billion), DOLE’s Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (₱22.4 billion), and DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (₱63.9 billion).
- ₱56.873 billion Local Government Units assistance fund. “The threefold increase by the bicam is prone to patronage and political discretion,” cited the SWP.
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