MANILA, Philippines — Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice revealed on Saturday that he voted against the proposed 2027 national budget, alleging that political considerations influenced the allocation of public funds as he questioned whether lawmakers who opposed the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte were disadvantaged in district allocations.
Interviewed by The Manila Times via Viber, Erice cited five reasons for his negative vote, including alleged disparities in district funding, the rejection of a proposal to improve transparency in the House budget, the discretionary nature of the proposed P62-billion Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), reductions in social services and infrastructure projects, and questionable revenue projections.
The veteran legislator said the budget appeared to prioritize political influence over public need, pointing to what he described as larger allocations for some districts represented by House leaders, administration allies and lawmakers who supported Duterte’s impeachment.
He contrasted these with allegedly smaller allocations for districts represented by lawmakers who voted against impeachment, questioning whether the differences reflected a system of political rewards and punishment.
Erice also questioned the reduction or removal of projects included in the National Expenditure Program and their replacement with projects whose proponents and selection processes were unclear.
He likewise questioned the rejection of an amendment proposed by Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco seeking greater transparency in the House budget.
Erice cited reports alleging that some lawmakers who voted in favor of Duterte’s impeachment received an additional P20 million in maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) from House savings, apart from their regular allocations.
The reported amount was allegedly released in five tranches of P4 million each while lawmakers who voted against impeachment or abstained supposedly received nothing.
The allegations had not been established as fact, he said, but challenged House leaders to release documents and explain any differences in allocations.
“If it is not true, release the documents. If it is true, explain why there is a difference,” he pointed out.
The Caloocan lawmaker also opposed the nearly P62-billion LGSF, arguing that the broad discretion involved in distributing the money lacked clear standards to ensure that the poorest municipalities would receive priority.
Erice warned that the arrangement could constitute undue delegation of legislative authority and raised concerns about the possible use of the fund to benefit administration-backed candidates in the 2028 elections.
On social services, he cited an estimated shortage of 160,000 classrooms in public schools and questioned reductions in funding for school facilities and feeding programs.
He also criticized the lack of clear and sufficient funding for zero balance billing for poor patients requiring treatment in private hospitals.
Erice raised concerns over cuts to foreign-assisted and flagship infrastructure projects, including those related to the Metro Manila Subway, saying such projects could deliver long-term economic benefits.
He further questioned the government’s projected P5.2 trillion in revenues for 2027, which he said was based on an expected economic growth rate of 5 to 6 percent.
Citing economic growth below 3 percent in the first two quarters of 2026, Erice questioned how the economy would accelerate enough to support the revenue target.
He also cited the proposed increase in the annual income-tax exemption to P350,000, which could result in an estimated P60-billion revenue loss, subject to confirmation under the final design of the measure.
Erice warned that revenue shortfalls could force the government to borrow more or reduce public services.
He said the national budget should serve as an instrument for alleviating poverty rather than rewarding political allies or penalizing the opposition.
“I will not exchange my conscience for allocations. I will not exchange my principles for favors,” Erice said, reiterating his opposition to the 2027 national budget.
