Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito at the Senate of the Philippines.  Office of Sen. Ejercito/ Handout

Article (news)

SEN. JV EJERCITO

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Senate finance committee chair Sen. JV Ejercito on Tuesday backed the reumption of funding for select flood-control projects in the proposed P7.2-trillion 2027 national budget, saying the government’s anti-corruption drive should continue without sacrificing critical infrastructure spending and economic growth.</p><p>Ejercito, who said he and Senate President Win Gatchalian have been briefed by the government’s economic managers on the proposed spending plan, described the country’s fiscal position as “very tight” despite the record-sized budget.</p><p>The Marcos administration is proposing a P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, six percent higher than this year, with the increase aimed at sustaining infrastructure, social services, education and health spending. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/8/10/dbm-submits-p7-2-trillion-2027-budget-to-marcos-2035"><strong>DBM submits P7.2-trillion 2027 budget to Marcos</strong></a></div><p>“We are hoping that the third and fourth quarter collections and revenues will catch up,” Ejercito said.</p><p>He argued that reforms introduced following last year’s alleged flood-control anomalies had slowed government infrastructure spending, affecting overall economic activity.</p><p>“The unintended consequence was very slow spending because infrastructure projects were delayed,” he said. “Our economy depends so much on public spending as an accelerator of economic growth.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/10/house-leader-pushes-for-flood-control-funding-in-2027-budget-1643"><strong>House leaders push for flood control funding in 2027 budget</strong></a></div><div><strong>‘RESTORE FUNDING’</strong></div><p>Despite his support for continuing investigations into alleged anomalies in flood-control projects, Ejercito said the government should restore funding for projects that are already underway or form part of an approved flood-management master plan.</p><p>“Flood control, if it’s not contiguous, if there are gaps, water will really look for outlets,” he said.</p><p>His remarks come as lawmakers revisit whether funding for flood-control projects should be restored after several days of heavy monsoon rains inundated parts of Luzon. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;NO MORE INSERTIONS&#x27;</strong></div><p>Ejercito also laid out what he described as major reforms in the Senate’s handling of the 2027 national budget.</p><p>Among these are livestreaming bicameral conference committee deliberations, prohibiting closed-door bicameral meetings; and banning last-minute budget insertions and amendments during bicameral negotiations.</p><p>“I will not be allowing insertions and last-minute amendments during bicam,” he said. </p><p>“If there are projects that lawmakers want to propose, they should be discussed openly in plenary, not during closed-door bicameral meetings.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;SAFEGUARDS SLOWED IMPLEMENTATION&#x27;</strong></div><p>Ejercito acknowledged that tighter safeguards imposed after the alleged flood-control scandal slowed project implementation, but said the government now needs to strike a balance between accountability and economic growth.</p><p>He said weaker infrastructure spending had weighed on economic activity because public construction has traditionally served as one of the country’s growth drivers.</p><p>“We have no regrets because reforms and safeguards had to be put in place,” he said.</p><p>“But now we have to increase public spending again because many Filipinos are already feeling the effects,” he added. </p><p>He also pointed to rising inflation and higher fuel prices stemming from global conflicts, saying the government should accelerate infrastructure projects while maintaining strict oversight.</p><p>While advocating the resumption of vetted infrastructure projects, Ejercito maintained that officials responsible for alleged anomalies in flood-control spending should still face prosecution.</p><p>“The real culprits behind the flood-control scandal have to be brought to justice,” he said.</p><p>He said accountability should extend to legislators, contractors and public officials found responsible.</p><p>He added that pursuing cases regardless of political affiliation would help restore public trust in government.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>AMENDMENT</strong></div><p>Apart from the budget, Ejercito reiterated his proposal to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) by removing the practice of passing non-technical system losses on to consumers.</p><p>He distinguished technical losses, caused by the physical transmission of electricity, from non-technical losses arising from electricity theft, illegal connections and pilferage.</p><p>“Consumers should not have to pay for electricity they did not use,” he said.</p><p>He argued that while technical losses are unavoidable, utilities should shoulder the cost of electricity stolen through illegal connections and intensify efforts against power pilferage instead of passing the expense on to paying customers.</p><p>The proposal follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call during his State of the Nation Address to review the system-loss mechanism, prompting lawmakers to file measures amending EPIRA.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lsJS9lsQ_Ug?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Senate finance committee chair Sen. JV Ejercito on Tuesday backed the resumption of selected flood-control projects in the proposed P7.2-trillion 2027 national budget, saying the government’s anti-corruption drive should continue without sacrificing critical infrastructure spending.</p>

Senate finance committee chair Sen. JV Ejercito on Tuesday backed the resumption of selected flood-control projects in the proposed P7.2-trillion 2027 national budget, saying the government’s anti-corruption drive should continue without sacrificing critical infrastructure spending.

Ejercito backs resumption of select flood-control projects, vows end to bicam insertions

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Ejercito backs resumption of select flood-control projects, vows end to bicam insertions

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 11, 2026 10:58 AM PHT

Read More:

DBM

Budget

Flood control

JV Ejercito

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.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

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.