AT LEAST P100 BILLION ALLOCATED IN SENATORS’ INSERTIONS FOR 2025 BUDGET, LACSON SAYS

Senate Blue Ribbon Chair Panfilo Lacson revealed that nearly all senators in the 19th Congress inserted at least P100 billion worth of items into the 2025 budget.

These were individual insertions, held for later release, raising concerns about transparency and economic impact.

Lacson noted that such large insertions, some reaching up to P9 billion, could divert funds from planned infrastructure projects at the local level.

He expressed surprise at the scale, saying it dwarfs the former Priority Development Assistance Fund or “pork” before it was abolished in 2013.

Lacson plans to question relevant agencies during budget deliberations to clarify the reasons behind and the implementation of these insertions.

Source: PhilNews24 | September 29, 2025