Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is pushing for a provision in the proposed 2026 national budget that would ban any politician from participating in the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s cash aid distribution activities.
Lacson proposed inserting Special Provision No. 9 in the DSWD budget — titled “Prohibition on Political Involvement in Cash Aid Distribution” — during the Senate plenary session on Tuesday, December 2. He said the measure would shield government social welfare programs from partisan politics.
The provision states that all cash assistance distributions shall be “conducted exclusively by authorized DSWD personnel or accredited partners.”
“No incumbent official, electoral candidate, politician, or any of their representatives shall be allowed to be present in, participate in, influence, or otherwise take part in the conduct, facilitation, or distribution of any cash assistance, nor shall any political signage, branding, paraphernalia, or activity be displayed or conducted within the distribution area.”
It also mandates the DSWD to establish and enforce protocols and reporting mechanisms to ensure compliance. Any DSWD personnel who permit or facilitate such political involvement would face administrative sanctions.
“Mr. President, there must be no room for political exploitation
and manipulation of the government programs in any shape or
form, especially when those at the other end are already
suffering. To politicize a social welfare program is not only
unjust but also inhumane,” Lacson said in plenary.
No senator objected to Lacson’s proposal. Senate finance committee chairman Win Gatchalian said it is deemed submitted for the body’s consideration.
The Senate aims to finish tackling senators’ amendments on Tuesday so it can pass the proposed ₱6.793-trillion national budget on third reading by Friday, Dec. 5, Lacson earlier told reporters.
This target is slightly earlier than the timeline initially outlined by Gatchalian, who projected a Dec. 9 third-reading approval. Gatchalian had cited a “very tight” schedule for passing the budget, but the Senate leadership stressed it will do everything possible to meet the deadline and avoid a reenacted budget — or the use of the previous year’s General Appropriations Act.
