Senate leaders vow impartial scrutiny of P7.2-trillion budget

MANILA — Senate finance committee chair Senator JV Ejercito and vice chair Senator Panfilo Lacson have committed to conducting an even-handed review of the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget, vowing that no one will be spared from scrutiny during bicameral conference committee proceedings.

The assurance comes as lawmakers move forward with reconciling competing budget versions between the Senate and House of Representatives. The spending proposal has drawn concerns over allegations of questionable insertions that critics have compared to pork barrel spending.

Exercito and Lacson's pledge underscores the committee's determination to examine all proposed allocations systematically, regardless of the political stature or family connections of those associated with the budget items. The committee's work is expected to intensify as it addresses contentious provisions in the massive appropriations bill.

The bicameral conference committee process typically involves detailed line-by-line reviews of budget proposals to reconcile differences between legislative chambers before the final measure is submitted for presidential approval. Budget transparency has remained a key issue in recent legislative sessions, with lawmakers facing mounting public pressure to ensure fiscal discipline and proper allocation of government resources.