PASAY CITY—The Philippine Senate delivered a strong legislative action on Monday, December 15, 2025, unanimously approving two significant measures on Third Reading with a vote of 17-0-0. 

Leading the charge is Senate Bill No. 1506, or the proposed CADENA Act, an acronym for the "Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability Act." This critical legislation, sponsored by Senator Bam Aquino, mandates the full and public disclosure of all government transactions through the creation of a digital budget portal. 

By establishing this portal, the Senate directly targets improved transparency, heightened accountability, and expanded public participation in the complex Philippine budget process, effectively using technology to combat corruption and foster good governance.

The chamber also swiftly approved Senate Bill No. 604, sponsored by Senator Robinhood Padilla. This measure directly addresses institutional reforms by amending Article I, Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9997, otherwise known as the "National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009." 

The amendment is designed to strengthen the function and structure of the Commission, aiming to enhance its capability to serve the welfare and address the specific needs of the Muslim Filipino community across the nation. 

Both bills now move one step closer to enactment, signaling the Senate's commitment to both fiscal transparency and minority rights protection.

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