Senate seeks 20 percent slash across agencies’ 2026 budget

Citing approval from fellow senators, Senate President Tito Sotto III expressed his belief towards the need for budget cuts from 15 percent up to 20 percent ‘across-the-board’ as the chamber tackles the 2026 budget.

In an Oct. 11 interview, Sotto said that the Senate is seriously considering reducing allocations in all agencies to curb overspending and misuse of funds tied to irregular infrastructure projects by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Ang gusto lang natin, i-cut yung excess pot na kukurapin lang. Pero ayaw natin mag-suffer yung project,” Sotto said in the noontime radio segment Balita Sabado.

Sotto reportedly met with Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ping Lacson, together with civil society and finance groups, the clergy, and former Sen. Frank Drilon.

“Napag-usapan namin at saka natutuwa sila sa suggestion namin na … ika-cut namin yung mga funding na budget na yan … between 15 to 20 percent cut across the board,” Sotto said.

While this nearly mirrors the suggestion of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to slash budgets by half, the senate president believes that it is far too unrealistic.

“Baka hindi naman masyadong ideal yun … Kasi magsasuffer na yung project. Ang gusto lang natin cut-in yung excess pot na na kukurapin lang o pinagkakakitaan lang ng mga sino-sinong opisyales. Pero ayaw natin mag-suffer yung project,” Sotto highlighted.

He also explained that the 15 to 20 percent range in cuts is only a working number and may still change to as high as 30 percent or as low as 10 percent upon further deliberations in the chamber.

The senate president also reiterated strengthening the involvement of regional councils to vouch for projects, and not from district congressmen.

“Kung mayroong program of work … mayroong let’s say regional development council resolution or endorsement. Mababantayan [ang mga project],” Sotto explained.

Sotto also noted that the chamber would closely monitor allocations under the DPWH, particularly those related to flood control and other infrastructure programs that have recently come under fire.

Recent probes have uncovered alleged “ghost” health centers, delayed military facility constructions, and overpriced farm-to-market roads under the Departments of Health, National Defense, and Agriculture, all of which were carried out with the DPWH’s involvement.

Amid controversies, Sotto vowed that the Senate would “ensure a transparent deliberation process” and bar any budget insertions during the bicameral deliberations.

“Transparent, accountable, matino, malinis … pagdating ng third reading. Malalaman ng mga kababayan natin kung anong nangyayari sa bicam. Kung ano ang disagreeing provisions namin …at pagkatapos namin i-ratify, sisiguruhin ko na walang insertion.

Backing Sotto’s proposal, Senate finance committee chair Gatchalian urged to trim allocations for “non-performing” agencies and rechannel funds toward programs with measurable impact.

The House of Representatives has approved the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 on second reading, and is set to pass it on third and final reading today, October 13.