Neophyte Congressman Javier Miguel Benitez of the 3rd District of Negros Occidental said the ratified P6.7-trillion 2026 national budget was designed with stronger safeguards to reduce the risk of ghost projects and politicization, following the approval of the bicameral conference committee report by the House of Representatives.
Benitez said in an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel that Congress’ role is to design a budget that is difficult to abuse by putting clear conditions, accountability mechanisms, and transparency requirements into law, while leaving implementation to the Executive.
He noted that the swift ratification of the budget was crucial to avoid a reenacted budget, which could delay government programs and negatively affect economic growth.
Benitez added that the process marked a milestone for legislative transparency, as the bicameral conference committee deliberations were live-streamed for the first time. As a first-term lawmaker, he said being entrusted with responsibility during the historic bicam underscored the importance of preparation, institutional trust, and accountability to the public.
He said defending the House’s action was a fitting close to his first calendar year in Congress. He began his legislative tenure by administering the oath of office to the Speaker of the House, in keeping with House tradition where one of the youngest Members of Congress, including from the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, performs the ceremonial oath.
