Catholic schools, through the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), said the decision to livestream the bicameral budget deliberations is a step toward greater transparency and stronger public participation in the national budget process.
In a statement, CEAP said the livestream allows Filipinos to witness firsthand how public funds are allocated and spent.
The group also acknowledged the government’s decision to allocate a larger budget to education, describing it as the biggest education funding in Philippine history.
However, CEAP noted that the livestreamed deliberations also exposed weaknesses in leadership that lawmakers must immediately address.
The group raised concerns over the realignment of funds across government agencies without clear consideration of systemic risks, as well as the continued reliance on patronage-based mechanisms such as medical assistance programs that require guarantee letters from politicians.
