PASAY CITY—Senators strongly defended their power to change the national budget during their session on August 12. The lawmakers reacted to claims by former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan that senators received individual infrastructure allocations. 

Upper chamber members insisted that adding funds to agency projects is legal, transparent, and built directly into their constitutional duties.

Senate President Win Gatchalian stated that these budget changes reflect real needs from local governments and public offices. 

He emphasized that lawmakers work openly by posting support documents, agency requests, and complete lists online for everyone to see. 

SP Gatchalian said that "it is part of their job to ensure these needs are addressed transparently" and noted that the Senate will keep uploading all amendments to its website for public viewing.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri clarified that he never handled any project lists during his time as Senate President. However, he stressed that funding key local infrastructure projects is clean and lawful when done without personal gain. 

Zubiri said, “That is part of our responsibility as legislators: to help bring much-needed development to communities that have long been left behind.”

Meanwhile, Senator Pia Cayetano thanked Zubiri for speaking out and defended the Senate's authority to support urgent local projects. She stressed that lawmakers strictly follow the law while helping communities get essential government funding. 

Cayetano said, “We have zero tolerance for evil and corruption. We are just doing our jobs.”

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