Public anger combined with sustained vigilance could be key to countering the greed and callousness of lawmakers behind questionable insertions in the proposed 2027 national budget, Senator Ping Lacson said.
Lacson expressed hope that the “kapalmuks” behind the attempts to mangle the budget anew would be proven wrong by the efforts of lawmakers and budget advocacy groups pushing for accountability.
“The flood control scandal has barely settled, yet the ‘kapalmuks’ of the world are testing the limits of the people’s patience yet again.”
“When anger meets vigilance, greed and callousness face a fierce fight. The flood control scandal has barely settled, yet the ‘kapalmuks’ of the world are testing the limits of the people’s patience yet again. I would like to think they are wrong this time… Thanks to the People’s Budget Coalition and all like-minded individuals standing together for accountability,” the veteran legislator said in a post on X.
“Galit is not enough, vigilance is not enough. ‘Pag pinagsama ang galit at ang vigilance, may paglalagyan talaga,” the seasoned lawmaker added in an interview on DZMM radio.
The senator welcomed overtures from some House of Representatives members to meet with the budget advocacy groups, particularly as public opinion increasingly supports the groups’ calls for accountability.
He also reiterated his calls for additional transparency measures in the budget process, including keeping livestreams running even during breaks – especially during the bicameral conference committee proceedings.
In the meantime, Lacson said he and his staff continue to scrutinize the proposed budget measure, checking for insertions and whether projects listed in the measure are viable and have met the needed requirements.
“Walang sacred cows, maski sino pa ang nag-insert.”
“Nagkakaisa kami dito maski sino tatamaan. Dito pwede apply sabi ni (former Justice Adolfo) Azcuna, all means all. Walang sacred cows, maski sino pa ang nag-insert. Kung di ma-implement at kulang sa requirement kailangan kaltasin,” he reiterated.
Lacson likewise stressed anew that he is working to demand accountability as a matter of advocacy for honest public service, as he has no further political ambitions.
“I am left with no further political ambitions. Whatever I do now is pure advocacy in pursuit of honest public service which I love doing no matter the cost,” he said.
