Politics · Philippines Bureau
Tinio calls on Senate to trim 'pork' from P7.2-trillion 2027 budget
ACT Teachers party-list representative Antonio Tinio has urged the Senate to remove discretionary spending from the House-approved national budget for 2027, rather than add to it, as the upper chamber begins its review of the P7.2-trillion spending plan.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Tinio issued his call on Thursday as senators prepare to scrutinize the spending measure passed by the House of Representatives. The lawmaker expressed hope that the Senate would focus on eliminating unnecessary expenditures from the budget bill during its deliberations.
The 2027 national budget, valued at P7.2 trillion, represents a significant spending allocation for the coming fiscal year. Tinio's statement underscores ongoing concerns among lawmakers and advocacy groups regarding discretionary funds, commonly referred to as 'pork,' that are often subject to political allocation and scrutiny.
The Senate's review of the budget is a critical stage in the legislative process, where upper chamber members can propose amendments and adjustments before passage. Tinio's position reflects a broader debate within Congress about fiscal discipline and the proper use of public funds.
The budget still requires Senate approval before it can be transmitted to the President for signature. The upper chamber's deliberations are expected to continue in the coming weeks as lawmakers weigh various spending priorities against fiscal constraints.