Budget watchdog flags closed-door talks on 2027 spending plan

MANILA — Concerns over budget transparency have surfaced as lawmakers enter the decisive phase of deliberations on the P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027. A budget watchdog group expressed apprehension Tuesday that substantive changes to the spending proposal are being hammered out away from public view, potentially undermining the credibility of upcoming congressional hearings.

The fiscal monitoring organization warned that if key negotiations take place outside the formal legislative process, subsequent public hearings risk appearing as theater rather than genuine deliberation. Such closed-door dealings could reduce public confidence in budget allocations affecting everything from infrastructure to social services across the nation.

The 2027 budget represents a crucial document for the government's planned spending across all departments and agencies. As the House of Representatives works toward final passage, the balance between private negotiation and transparent deliberation remains a focal point for oversight groups tracking the budgeting process.

The concerns highlight longstanding tensions between legislative efficiency and democratic accountability. Budget watchdogs have consistently advocated for greater transparency in how lawmakers modify spending proposals before bringing them to full chamber votes.