Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

asec

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman defended the Department of Budget and Management, saying the agency is not involved in budget insertions. Pangandaman issued this as the agency is criticized by some sectors amid the controversy over budget insertions. At the sideline of the Innotech Seminar Series, Pangandaman said DBM only collects data from different departments, including requests for projects. It is the department heads who defend their own budget, and the DBM relies on an agency’s submitted documents. She added that she or any at DBM has no hand in any so-called insertions in the national budget.“As to the insertions, hindi natin alam. Kasi narinig naman natin kahapon [budget hearing]. Basta tayo sa DBM kinukuha natin yung mga request, yung mga proposals ng mga departments at agencies at pag-aaralan natin yan,” she told reporters at the seminar series. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/24/escudero-appears-before-ici-to-shed-light-on-budget-questions-1531">Escudero appears before ICI to shed light on budget questions</a></div>She added that DBM also does not implement the projects, hence she said it’s unlikely that the insertions would come from them since they have nothing to do with the implementation of the projects. “Pag-iimplement ng proyekto ay wala sa DBM. Of course di namin kaya implement ang proyekto ng DSWD. Di namin alam kung paano ipamimigay ang mga ayuda. Ang pag-implement ng projects ng DPWH, di namin kaya gumawa ng daan,” she added.However, she noted that reforms must be made to ensure suspicious insertions can be avoided. She said this is a wake-up call to the government to improve the system. This includes the use of unprogrammed funds. She admits many were approved before because it is only now that the issue of ghost projects in flood control sites has surfaced. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/24/dpwh-orders-several-personnel-to-explain-ghost-projects-lavish-lifestyle-0855">DPWH orders several personnel to explain substandard projects, lavish lifestyle</a><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/24/dpwh-orders-several-personnel-to-explain-ghost-projects-lavish-lifestyle-0855"> </a></div>“Sa unprogrammed, request yan ng ahensya. Prior to this hindi naman natin alam, alam natin na importante ang flood control program, pero hindi naman natin alam na di pala ito nagagawa, hindi pala ito nangayayri. It’s actually also an awakening to all of us,” she said. Among the reforms she cited is a new law on the Cash Budgeting Modernization System. She also wants a detailed report on how an agency will use funds for a particular project and to use technology to monitor projects like the recently launched Project DIME. Pangandaman also says the use of blockchain technology in budgeting is also being used.

Pangandaman said they have no direct hand in budget insertions and only get requests from departments that implement the projects.

Pangandaman said they have no direct hand in budget insertions and only get requests from departments that implement the projects.

DBM says no hand in budget insertions

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Business

DBM says no hand in budget insertions

Jekki Pascual,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 24, 2025 08:06 PM PHT

Read More:

DBM

Department of Budget and Management

Amenah Pangandaman

Budget insertions

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.