A budget watchdog on Friday challenged the House of Representatives to reform its handling of the national budget, saying there is “no technical reason” such changes cannot be implemented by year-end.
The People’s Budget Coalition (PBC) published an eight-point checklist of recommendations, calling for Congress to release all supporting documents for projects in its approved 2027 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) and explain budget insertions.
They also asked the House to create an online public verification system, reform the system of “pork” or red-flags, end traditional parliamentary courtesy, implement People’s Budget Proposals on issues such as the cost-of-living crisis and institutionalize civil society participation in the national budget process.
“There’s absolutely no technical reason for these observations and monitoring initiatives to not to be done now,” Adolfo Jose Montesa, PBC co-convener told reporters during a press briefing.
Mr. Montesa noted that the Senate and executive agencies have already collaborated with the PBC on similar measures—the House must only catch up to their transparency efforts.
Emphasizing the ease of implementing the PBC recommendations, fellow PBC co-convener Kenneth Isaiah Ibasco Abante showed a preview of their proposed online verification system.
It sorts budget items per project, alongside flagged inconsistencies like incomplete documents, high costs and incorrect locations.
“Imagine a system in which ordinary people can cross-check every infrastructure line item in a digital workflow,” Mr. Abante said. “We just decided we would do this last Tuesday, no? And then now we have a system.”
With the PBC capable of accomplishing such progress over a weekend, he argued that there is no reason the House cannot follow suit. — Francesca S. Abalos