(DC file photo)
Caloocan City District II representative Edgar ‘Egay’ Erice is strongly opposes the proposed ₱7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, criticizing it as a “budget for politicians” due to its heavy public works allocations.
In an interview, Erice argued that the budget was built on political influence rather than genuine community needs even as he pointed out that with its approval, favored districts are set to receive massive infrastructure allocations while opponents received little.
He noted the inclusion of hundreds of multi-purpose halls and about ₱210 billion in social assistance and livelihood funds vulnerable to patronage ahead of elections.
He challenged the Senate’s plan to remove ₱8 billion in unsupported infrastructure projects, arguing that total questionable insertions and so-called “soft pork” across the House-approved measure could actually reach hundreds of billions (with watchdogs flagging over ₱1 trillion).
The lawmaker urged the Senate to thoroughly scrub all questionable amendments.
Erice highlighted a financing gap of ₱1.694 trillion in new borrowings required to plug the difference between projected revenues (₱5.205 trillion) and total disbursements (₱6.900 trillion), representing a deficit of 5.1 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
He likewise cited the unrealistic revenue & tax proposals, questioning the government’s ₱5.2-trillion revenue projection as unrealistic due to sluggish growth and delayed projects.
While against a reenacted budget, Erice is demanding deep reforms as he cautioned Congress against letting the process spiral into a reenacted budget which would stall vital public services and economic growth.
In ending the Caloocan congressman called on both chambers to reconcile differences transparently during the bicameral conference.
“We need to push for the restoration and expansion of funding on critical sectors, specifically noting the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)’s request for around ₱170 billion in additional support,” Erice concluded.
