Finance Secretary Ralph Recto has vowed “strict scrutiny” of the proposed 2026 national budget to ensure no taxpayer’s peso is wasted, supporting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to clean out alleged questionable insertions and corruption.
The pledge comes amid grave concern over recently uncovered anomalies, including “ghost” flood control projects in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Recto revealed these projects have cost the Philippine economy an estimated P42.3 billion to P118.5 billion from 2023 to 2025—funds that could have created up to 266,000 jobs.
“Raising revenues is no joke. It is a great injustice to see it not go to the right projects and the welfare of the people,” Recto said during a Senate budget briefing on September 2. “We will guard this [budget] so there are no ghost projects. No corruption. Not a single peso wasted.”
Recto said that wise spending is the key to encouraging tax compliance, as citizens need to see their money creating tangible benefits, emphasizing that the ₱6.793-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) is designed to fund infrastructure, education, health, and social welfare with the highest multiplier effect. – Marlon Magtira
