Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, often referred to as Speaker Dy, has publicly committed to significant reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the national budget process, following a constructive dialogue with the People's Budget Coalition (PBC).
The Speaker's backing comes amid persistent calls from civil society for greater fiscal accountability, particularly concerning the upcoming P7.2-trillion national budget proposal for 2027.
At the heart of Speaker Dy's commitment is the belief that Filipinos possess an inherent right to fully understand how their taxes are spent. "The public has the right to know where their money goes, who proposed the projects, why they are needed, and who will benefit from them," Dy stated, articulating a principle that underpins the demand for greater openness. This entails making available a detailed examination of proposed appropriations, complete with their supporting studies, technical specifications, precise project locations, and validated endorsements from implementing agencies. Such disclosures, according to the People's Budget Coalition, are crucial for distinguishing legitimately justified budget items from those that might be questionable and warrant deeper investigation.
The People's Budget Coalition, a prominent civil society group advocating for fiscal accountability, previously raised "red flags" regarding some 7,000 infrastructure projects, collectively valued at approximately P190 billion. These projects, incorporated into the House-approved version of the budget, reportedly lacked sufficient documentation and clear justifications, fueling concerns about potential waste and patronage.
Kenneth Isaiah Ibasco Abante, a co-convener of the People's Budget Coalition, lauded the Speaker’s receptiveness, acknowledging the commitment to addressing areas where the House can improve its procedures for scrutinizing and disclosing government projects.
A pivotal aspect of Dy's commitment involves ensuring that government assistance is distributed based on genuine public needs rather than political affiliations or connections.
Beyond specific project documentation, Speaker Dy has also welcomed a broader suite of proposals for enhancing transparency. These include greater openness in congressional budget amendments, public verification processes for government projects, more accessible bicameral conference committee deliberations, and closer scrutiny of the budgets of all government offices, notably including the legislative branch itself.
Crucially, while advocating for transparency, Speaker Dy also took the opportunity to defend the legitimate role of legislators in proposing budget amendments. He pushed back against automatic associations of such changes with corruption, clarifying that representatives have a responsibility to champion the needs of their constituents. What remains paramount, he stressed, is that all projects are well-implemented, thoroughly documented, and yield tangible benefits for the public. His statement, "Walang dapat itago kung walang ginagawang mali" (Nothing should be hidden if nothing wrong is being done), underscores a philosophy of openness as a shield against unwarranted accusations, placing the onus on clear, accessible documentation.
The proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, alternatively cited at P6.793-trillion in some reports, is currently undergoing further scrutiny in the Senate before advancing to the crucial bicameral conference committee deliberations with the House of Representatives.
Looking ahead, Speaker Dy has identified key national concerns that the 2027 budget must prioritize. These include food security, healthcare, education, employment generation, infrastructure development, and proactive preparedness for the anticipated “Super El Niño” phenomenon. He has called for strengthened coordination with the Senate and executive agencies to ensure that all funded projects are properly documented and genuinely beneficial to the public, signaling an intent to not only reveal where money goes but also ensure it is directed to the right places for the right reasons.