Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco’s Budget Process Reforms Defended
Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco was well within his rights to propose changes to the internal rules of the House regarding the budgetary process, including the possible elimination of the so-called “small committee” responsible for consolidating amendments to the national budget. This key point was emphasized by House spokesperson Princess Abante, who reminded that Tiangco could formally file motions in plenary to introduce reforms in the House guidelines.
“Cong. Tiangco knows this, and as a member of the House, he can participate so that the plenary can take appropriate action on what he thinks is inappropriate and should be corrected,” she said. The 4-word keyphrase “budget process reforms” describes the core of Tiangco’s concerns.
Tiangco Breaks Away, Criticizes Speaker’s Role in Budget
Tiangco’s announcement of his independence from the current House leadership came during the 20th Congress opening on Monday, shortly after Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez was reelected as House Speaker. The former campaign manager of the administration’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas accused the powerful Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party of politicizing social welfare programs to consolidate power.
He claimed that congressmen are now forced to request budget allocations through the Office of the Speaker, rather than directly from agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). “When you have to beg from the Office of the Speaker, it blatantly becomes the Speaker’s pork barrel, given their power to approve, disapprove, or dictate the amount to be given,” Tiangco said in a statement.
However, Abante denied these allegations, explaining that the Office of the Speaker only issues endorsements or referrals. “Final decisions rest entirely with the implementing agencies, which assess each request based on program guidelines, fund availability, and internal controls,” she clarified.
Concerns Over Transparency in Budget Amendments
Tiangco expressed particular disappointment over the “mangling” of the 2025 General Appropriations Act, attributing this to procedural changes made by the small committee. Unlike committee and plenary deliberations—which are open to the public both onsite and online—the bicameral conference committee and small committee discussions take place behind closed doors.
“The approval of the General Appropriations Bill must follow the procedure of all other House bills. This means that before approval on second reading, and after committee amendments are considered, every single individual amendment must be debated in open session,” he stressed. Tiangco urged to heed the President’s call to end the outdated practice of forming small committees to discuss individual amendments.
Political Realignments and Independent Bloc Formation
Tiangco’s breakaway from the Romualdez-led faction marked a significant shift during the 20th Congress opening. After the Alyansa slate’s poor performance in the recent midterm elections, Tiangco blamed, among others, the Romualdez-led House for pushing the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte despite her strong popularity.
This political move likely contributed to Alyansa’s poor showing, with only five of their 12 candidates making it to the Magic 12. Initially viewed as potential contenders for the House speakership, Tiangco, Bacolod Representative Albee Benitez, and Cebu Representative Duke Frasco announced plans to possibly form an independent minority bloc of three. Both Tiangco and his colleagues reaffirmed their support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, though not for the current House leadership.
For more news and updates on budget process reforms, visit Filipinokami.com.
