Former Senate President Franklin Drilon weighed in on the ongoing controversy over budget insertions, emphasizing that there is no difference between an “insertion” and an “amendment” in the legislative process.
Speaking on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos on Monday, October 6, Drilon underscored that proposing changes to an appropriations bill is a constitutional right of every lawmaker.
“Huwag kalimutan na ang amendment ay isang karapatan ng isang mambabatas… Ang insertion ay hindi masama o illegal,” he explained, stressing that issues only arise when the execution of projects turns out to be substandard, on paper only, or left unimplemented.
Drilon further clarified that protective measures are already built into the process. Amendments may be rejected by Congress, vetoed line-item by the President, or placed under the “for later release” rule.
“Ang insertion ay amendment ‘yan. Hindi mo pwedeng ipagbawal ang amendment sa isang panukalang batas,” he added.
He also reminded the public that appropriations laws automatically expire on December 31, meaning any unreleased amendments lapse at the end of the year.
Drilon clarified that budget insertions are "not illegal", as they are part of the budget process. According to him, it only becomes wrong if legislators receive kickbacks from the budget or if the projects are not properly implemented.
The remarks were made following the October 3 broadcast of DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, where Anthony Taberna and Gerry Baja first reported that Senator Risa Hontiveros had ₱3.035 billion worth of budget insertions. Of the said amount, ₱750 million was reportedly allocated for flood control projects.
Hontiveros was quick to deny the claims through a Facebook post on October 4, stating, “Wala po akong bicam insertions. Wala sa unprogrammed funds. PERIOD.”
She clarified that she did not sign the bicameral conference committee report and even voted “NO” to the controversial 2025 budget.
