A House leader appealed to the public to allow the budget process to proceed before drawing conclusions about the proposed spending measure.
Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, chairperson of the House Committee on Justice, made the remarks amid calls by the People’s Budget Coalition for the Senate to remove questionable infrastructure allocations from the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget.
“I think it is too early. Too early to preempt, to say na may problema sa budget. Because as a matter of fact, halfway pa lang po tayo,” Luistro said.
The coalition has questioned some P170 billion in additional allocations for multipurpose buildings and local roads, citing concerns over the necessity of the projects and possible irregularities.
Luistro expressed confidence that the House-approved 2027 national budget reflects the needs and interests of the Filipino people.
She expressed full trust and support for the House leadership and her fellow lawmakers in preparing the House General Appropriations Bill (HGAB).
“Tayo po’y naniniwala sa ating mga kasama dito sa House of Representatives, headed by the House leaders, na kung anuman ang nasa HGAB, it represents the concerns and interests of the Filipino people,” Luistro also said.
Luistro pointed out that the Senate still has the authority to review and amend the House-approved budget, while any differences between the two chambers could be settled through a bicameral conference committee.
She also stressed that infrastructure projects should be assessed based on whether they address actual community needs.
“Kung merong actual need for those projects, there is nothing wrong about that, so long as it will serve the interest of the Filipino people,” Luistro said.
“What I take offense is, ’yung talagang mga ghost projects,” she added.
The House-approved budget remains subject to Senate review and possible amendments before Congress finalizes the 2027 spending measure.