DBM Press Release
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman vowed vigilant oversight and tighter Executive–Legislative coordination as Congress convenes the bicameral conference on the FY 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP). She assured the public that the DBM shall do what it can to protect the people’s budget from irregular realignments, and to keep it aligned with the administration’s national priorities.
Speaking at the Senate Committee on Finance hearing yesterday, the Budget Secretary addressed the concern raised by Senator Panfilo Lacson on the trimmed portions of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP), particularly on the Department of Education and the education sector, while increasing funds for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Senator Lacson suggested the closer coordination between the DBM and the Legislative branch to monitor the bicam hearings and safeguard the integrity of the NEP.
“Kailangan yung coordination between the Legislature and the Executive branches. Every step of the way, pakibantayan n'yo [DBM] na lang, especially during the Bicam [conference committee] because we all know that nandyan talaga ‘yung pinakamalaking mga culprits, no? D’yan talaga pumapasok ‘yung katakot-takot na realignments,” expressed Senator Lacson.
Secretary Pangandaman affirmed the DBM’s readiness to cooperate and, where necessary, to recommend appropriate executive actions on questionable items.
“We hear and respect these concerns. Babantayan po namin nang maigi ang budget ngayon. While the DBM no longer has jurisdiction on the General Appropriations Bill, we will work very closely with the House Secretariat and the Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO) to provide real-time technical validation and to ensure that any bicam changes remain constitutional, transparent, at higit sa lahat po, para talaga sa ikabubuti ng ating mga kababayan,” Pangandaman said.
“If there are items that violate the Constitution or are unsupported, we’ll flag them, document them, and elevate our recommendations—consistent with the President’s veto powers and our shared commitment to good governance,” the Budget Secretary added.
Secretary Pangandaman continues to call for an open bicameral conference where hearings are livestreamed and amendment matrices with justifications are publicly published.
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DBM Press Release
Ika-2 ng Setyembre 2025
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, tiniyak ang mas mahigpit na pagbabantay sa bicam para sa FY 2026 budget: ’Babantayan po namin nang maigi ang budget ngayon’_
Ipinangako ni Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman ang mas mahigpit na pagbabantay at mas matibay na koordinasyon sa Executive-Legislative sa pag-convene ng Kongreso sa bicameral conference para sa FY 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP). Tiniyak niya sa publiko na gagawin ng DBM ang makakaya nito para maprotektahan ang budget ng taumbayan laban sa mga iregular na realignment, at matiyak na ito ay nakaayon sa national priorities ng administrasyon.
Sa pagsasalita sa pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Finance kahapon, tinugunan ng Budget Secretary ang pangamba ni Senador Panfilo Lacson sa trimmed portions ng Fiscal Year 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP), partikular sa Department of Education at sektor ng edukasyon, habang dinadagdagan ang pondo para sa Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Iminungkahi ni Senador Lacson ang mas mahigpit na koordinasyon sa pagitan ng DBM at ng Legislative branch upang mabantayan ang bicam hearings at mapangalagaan ang integridad ng NEP.
“Kailangan yung coordination between the Legislature and the Executive branches. Every step of the way, pakibantayan n'yo [DBM] na lang, especially during the Bicam [conference committee] because we all know that nandyan talaga ‘yung pinakamalaking mga culprits, no? D’yan talaga pumapasok ‘yung katakot-takot na realignments,” ayon kay Senator Lacson.
Tiniyak naman ni Secretary Pangandaman ang kahandaan ng DBM na makipagtulungan at, kung kinakailangan, magrekomenda ng nararapat na executive actions hinggil sa mga kuwestiyonableng item.
“We hear and respect these concerns. Babantayan po namin nang maigi ang budget ngayon. While the DBM no longer has jurisdiction on the General Appropriations Bill, we will work very closely with the House Secretariat and the Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO) to provide real-time technical validation and to ensure that any bicam changes remain constitutional, transparent, at higit sa lahat po, para talaga sa ikabubuti ng ating mga kababayan,” ani Pangandaman.
“If there are items that violate the Constitution or are unsupported, we’ll flag them, document them, and elevate our recommendations—consistent with the President’s veto powers and our shared commitment to good governance,” dagdag pa ng Budget Secretary.
Patuloy na nananawagan si Secretary Pangandaman para sa isang bukas na bicameral conference kung saan ang mga pagdinig ay naka-livestream at ang mga amendment matrice na may justifications ay isasapubliko.
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