PH Politics

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday in Manila urged Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to admit and correct alleged errors in the computation of cost reductions for 10,000 Department of Public Works and Highways projects in the proposed 2025 budget. Lacson warned that blaming the Senate for the adjustments could lead to a budget deadlock and delay passage of the national spending plan. He asked the DPWH to provide a detailed breakdown of the affected projects, clarify how the agency computed the reductions, and state where the miscalculations originated. He said accurate data from the DPWH is essential for the Senate to complete deliberations and avoid disruptions to next year’s infrastructure program.

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, designated as a Senate representative to a bicameral conference committee, missed the panel’s meeting on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2024, at the Philippine Congress. His nonattendance extended an ongoing absence from Senate work, according to chamber sources. The bicameral conference committee proceeded with its discussions and bill reconciliation tasks despite his absence, with other senators present and participating. Senate officials had not released a formal explanation for Dela Rosa’s continued absence as of Saturday.

The Palace said on Friday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order for Congress to prioritize several anti-corruption measures, including an anti-political dynasty bill, is not for optics but for substantive reform. Malacañang officials reported that formal communications were sent to both chambers of Congress, directing attention to proposed laws on transparency, accountability, and good governance, and said they expect lawmakers to act on the measures during the current session.

Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque filed a motion for reconsideration on December 9, 2025, challenging the cancellation of his Philippine passport, which he claims lacks legal basis. In a statement released Thursday, Roque asserted he is not a fugitive and that his stay in Europe is tied to his right to seek asylum. Now based in the Netherlands while working on the legal defense of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Roque urged Philippine authorities to review the timing and grounds of the passport cancellation and requested the restoration of his travel document.

The Philippine Senate on Tuesday agreed in a caucus to oppose any move in the bicameral conference committee to cut the proposed P1.38-trillion education budget for 2025, Senator Bam Aquino said. Aquino, who chairs the Senate committee on basic education, reported that senators formed a consensus to defend the Senate-approved funding levels for the Department of Education, state universities and colleges, and related agencies. The Senate plans to instruct its bicameral panel members to resist any reduction in education appropriations as it works with the House of Representatives to finalize the 2025 General Appropriations Bill.