Senate to scrap unprogrammed funds from 2026 budget

The Senate will move to eliminate all unprogrammed funds from the 2026 national budget, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said yesterday, calling them a source of questionable insertions that have fueled recent controversies in government spending.

- By NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

“We will, as much as possible and, if possible, 100 percent no unprogrammed funds,” Sotto told reporters, saying he had already discussed the matter with Senate finance committee chair Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

“When we discuss the budget finally on second reading before third reading, there should be no unprogrammed funds. I-program natin kung anong kailangan... Para maliwanag, kitang-kita,” he said, stressing it should be programmed if needed for clarity and transparency.