Congressman Toby Tiangco has explained why he voted "NO" on House Bill 10858, the General Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2027, even after the measure was approved by the House. In a Facebook post, he said his vote was meant to stand by his principles and was based on three concerns. A video of the 20th Congress Regular Session on October 12, 2026 accompanied the post.
His first concern is that the process allegedly violated Article VI, Section 25, paragraph 3 of the Constitution. He said the House's own budget skipped Committee deliberation and went straight to the plenary. Once in the plenary, the Budget Hearing schedule was suddenly changed, and an email sent at 2:05 AM said the House budget would be taken up at 10 AM the same day. Tiangco said the abrupt change appeared meant to avoid questions and scrutiny. Otherwise, he said, his request to reopen the interpellation, which was allowed for the MMDA, should have been granted. He cited the constitutional provision, which reads: "The procedure in approving appropriations for the Congress shall strictly follow the procedure for approving appropriations for other departments and agencies."
His second concern is the ₱5 billion increase, or 28.37%, in the House of Representatives' budget through the BARSC (Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee). Tiangco said it remains unclear where this large amount will be used. He added that the complete record of which agencies had funds reduced, which had funds increased, by how much, and why has still not been provided. He said Filipinos have the right to know where their money comes from and where it goes.
His third concern is transparency and accountability. During the period of Individual Amendments, he filed two proposals, and both were rejected. The first would require publication of the House's budget utilization, including trips, vehicles, and spending for each House member. The second would require publication of DPWH projects per congressional district, including projects requested or initiated by District Congressmen and Party-List Representatives. Tiangco said the public should be able to see where their money is going, how it is spent, and who is responsible for using it.
Source: Facebook post of Congressman Toby Tiangco