By Wilnard Bacelonia | Philippine News Agency
The Senate on Tuesday approved on third reading House Bill No. 4058, or the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), with 17 affirmative votes and no abstentions, sending the P5.768-trillion spending plan to bicameral conference as senators prepare to reconcile differing provisions with the House of Representatives.
Senator Win Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, said the Senate version of the budget strengthens education, health, disaster response, and transparency measures, describing it as “more transparent, more disciplined, and more accountable than before,” as reflected in his third-reading speech.
He highlighted increases in funding for classroom construction, the school-based feeding program, state universities and colleges, zero-balance billing in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals and disaster recovery programs.
In explaining his “yes” vote, Senator Erwin Tulfo raised concerns over the Supreme Court ruling ordering the restoration of P60 billion to Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
He questioned whether the amount was fully included in the P113 billion allocation for the agency under the Senate-approved budget and pressed officials to clarify where the P60 billion would be sourced.
Tulfo warned against burdening members with higher premiums, citing the real-life struggles of Filipinos who avoid hospital care due to lack of funds.
“Aanhin pa po ang mga kalsada at tulay kung ang mga Pilipinong dapat makinabang dito ay may sakit at unti-unting namamatay?” he said.
Senator Pia Cayetano voted in favor of the measure “with reservations,” expressing alarm over persistent shortfalls in PhilHealth’s legally earmarked funds —pointing to a P16.52-billion gap for 2026, repeated nonrelease of certified sin tax collections, and more than P106 billion in unremitted statutory shares from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
She called these lapses “a violation of law,” warning that Congress risks becoming complicit unless the bicameral conference committee corrects the discrepancies.
Senator Loren Legarda likewise flagged concerns regarding PhilHealth’s reserve fund, noting that while the House identified P253 billion in reductions to accommodate the Supreme Court’s directive, the P60 billion returned was placed under benefit package improvements rather than restored to reserves.
She urged the bicameral panel to amend the budget provision to ensure full compliance with the ruling.
Legarda also committed to filing a bill mandating automatic appropriations and releases of sin tax earmarks and statutory shares from PAGCOR and PCSO to PhilHealth.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta also voted in favor of the budget, emphasizing key amendments he introduced that were adopted in the Senate version.
These include increased funding for the High Value Crops Development Program to expand production support services, procure essential equipment, and boost the export potential of agricultural products.
He also secured P500 million for drainage improvement along Marcos Highway (Pasig–Marikina–Cainta section) to ease flooding and traffic, and supported the reduction of funding for the Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project Phase II to align spending with actual project progress.
Marcoleta said the amendments provide “concrete responses” to farmers, flood-prone communities, and the need for prudent use of public funds.
Despite some proposed amendments not being accepted, Marcoleta said he respects the Senate’s consensus-building process.
“I therefore vote yes, Mr. President,” he said.
Gatchalian said earlier that the bicameral conference committee is expected to convene this week, aiming to sign the bicameral conference committee report on Dec. 16, followed by ratification on Dec. 17, the last session day for the year. (PNA)
