NUP expresses optimism over talks with budget watchdogs – Puno

MANILA, Philippines – Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno said on Tuesday the National Unity Party (NUP) is upbeat on meeting with the People’s Budget Coalition (PBC) to discuss issues tied to the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for next year.

On Monday, the PBC said several lawmakers have invited them to meet and review the House approved spending bill, including the NUP, whose 58-member bloc includes Bataan Rep. Albert “Abet” Garcia, the senior vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

READ: House to consult budget watchdogs

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“The National Unity Party is grateful and looking forward to our conversations with the People’s Budget Coalition,” Puno, who leads the political party, said.

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“I am sure NUP, the House of Representatives as a whole, and the public in general will benefit from all the work done by the Coalition,” he added.

The proposed 2027 budget has faced criticism following warnings from budget watchdogs over how the House adjusted the spending plan, including hiked allotments for programs prone to patronage politics and concentrated public works funding in districts aligned with the House leadership.

Puno said the PBC’s scrutiny of House Bill No. 10858, the spending measure passed by the chamber on Oct. 12, was invaluable in revealing budget details that lawmakers themselves were unaware of.

“They were able to uncover information in the HGAB that 90% or more of our congressmen were unaware of,” he said, referring to the House’s General Appropriations Bill. “Even members of the Appropriations Committee were generally surprised by the revelations of the Coalition.” /jpv