Oversight still possible even if solons’ ‘allocables’ are involved – Ridon

MANILA, Philippines — Having Congress exercise its oversight functions to check budget implementation is possible even if it will discuss allocations made by lawmakers to their districts, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said on Wednesday.

Ridon, in a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex, said that he understands the point made by the Makabayan bloc, which cautioned against relying on the oversight function when it comes to checking on the 2026 budget implementation.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela party-list Rep. Sarah Elago and Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co asked how the proposed joint oversight committee composed of lawmakers will scrutinize the allocations that they themselves made.

However, Ridon said the composition of the joint oversight committee will be key, as lawmakers who do not represent a particular district — party-list solons and senators — can form part of the panel.

“Well, I understand what they are trying to say, and that is the same principle as to why we have opted not to proceed at this point with the flood control hearings,” Ridon said.

The party-list representative is referring to the decision of the House to suspend hearings on infrastructure corruption issues after some lawmakers were accused of involvement.

“But I think we have to look at the composition of the joint oversight committee as well, because it is not only House members who have their own districts who will be joining. The Senate is also part of it,” he noted.

“So I think, we can still look at the allocables of districts even if you have that joint congressional oversight committee,” he added.

Aside from this, Ridon said that the oversight will not be solely on the infrastructure allocations to districts, as checking the implementation of the recently-signed 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) will also delve into projects in the education sector, social services and other items.

“I think what the specific term yesterday was, they have ‘vested interests’ in the infrastructure projects, particularly House members or district congressmen,” he pointed out. 

“But I think, if you have representation there from party-list members and senators, I think that serves as a balancing mechanism with what they are saying as ‘vested interests’ in public infrastructure for the districts,” he said.

Makabayan’s statement came after Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said that the House and the Senate will create an oversight committee to track national expenditures.

Gatchalian is chairperson of the Senate committee on finance and co-chairperson of the bicameral conference committee on the disagreeing provisions of the then-proposed 2026 budget.

“For example, underspending by agencies, foreign-assisted projects and some projects that we need to drill down further — like the construction of hospitals because our current hospitals are already overcapacity,” he suggested.

READ: House, Senate to form joint oversight committee on public spending

According to Makabayan, not much credence should be put on the joint oversight committee as the question of “how will Congress exercise oversight over the system of ‘allocables’ or congressional allocations for infrastructure” lingers.

“How will Congress exercise oversight over the various pork items that lawmakers themselves have a hand in implementing?” the group asked.

READ: Makabayan asks: How will Congress do oversight on its own allocables?

Ridon on Tuesday said that proper oversight through congressional hearings will be the next step to ensure transparency in the recently-signed P6.7 trillion budget.

According to him, “public participation at all levels of budget implementation” will also be key in ensuring that the government is held accountable for the expenditures and programs that it would make.

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III previously said that the House will be strict in scrutinizing the budget to ensure that funds are spent efficiently.

READ: Dy vows ‘strict oversight’ over newly-signed P6.7 trillion 2026 budget

According to Dy, the enactment of the GAA is only the start of reforms, as Congress should ensure that every peso is used properly.

The 2026 budget has been touted by lawmakers as one of the cleanest ever, due to the introduction of reforms like the creation of the Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee, and the livestreaming of the bicameral conference hearings.

However, several lawmakers have still expressed concerns and dissatisfaction with the GAA.  

On Monday, Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said that Marcos’ veto of P92.5 billion worth of unprogrammed appropriations (UA) in the 2026 budget is not enough since a lot of UA was retained.

De Lima said that UAs should have no place in the budget, citing the Supreme Court (SC) decision on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation fund transfer issue where Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando had said that all forms of UA are unconstitutional.

Also on Monday, Makabayan said that the veto is nothing but a “token gesture” intended to distract people from pressing issues.

The group observed that the 2026 budget signed by Marcos retained the “allocables” in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which it believes paves the way for corruption. /apl