Senate adopts reso on open budget process
Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero approved the motion to adopt Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4, subject to style, after a series of interpellation of senators, with some proposing amendments.
All 24 senators previously signed the concurrent resolution, which mandates budget documents, including all annexes and attachments, as may be applicable, be uploaded on both the websites of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
In his sponsorship speech on Tuesday, Senate finance committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian emphasized that the concurrent resolution reflects the Senate's commitment to accountability and earning the public's trust.
'Our vision for the 2026 budget is to create a budget that is effective, efficient, and lean, which will usher in a golden age of transparency and accountability that will open up the budget process and empower the public to understand the budget, increase their participation, and root the system of accountability in the people themselves,' Gatchalian said.
He also said that granting public access to such documents would help ensure that the projects of each government agency are held to public account.
'Creating a culture of transparency and accountability for the benefit of the public is nothing extraordinary. It is our duty as servants of the people,' the senator added.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) earlier on Wednesday submitted the P6.793-trillion 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) to both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr., meanwhile, urged members of Congress who will deliberate the proposed 2026 national budget to "swiftly enact" it. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
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