AS OUR NATION prepares to implement the 2026 National Budget of 6.793 trillion pesos, we do so at a time when the Filipino people are grappling not only with economic pressures but also with a deep erosion of trust in public institutions.
The recent revelations about nonexistent projects—allocations released, but no work done; funds spent, but no communities served—have shaken our collective conscience.
Corruption of this kind is not merely a technical failure. It is a moral failure, a betrayal of the people’s trust, and a grave injustice against the poor who rely most on government services.
When projects exist only on paper, it is the ordinary Filipino who pays the price: the farmer waiting for irrigation, the student needing a classroom, the patient hoping for a functioning health center.
This moment must serve as a wake-up call for our nation.
A wake-up call to those in power—to lead with integrity, to reject the culture of impunity, to remember that public office is a sacred stewardship, not a personal entitlement.
Let it be said clearly: The national budget is not your personal wallet. It is not meant for signature bags, lavish trips, fine dining, nor for sending your children to study abroad at the expense of the poor. It is entrusted to you for the common good of your constituents.
This is also a wake-up call to the Filipino people—to be more vigilant, to demand transparency, to participate actively in safeguarding the nation’s resources.
A national budget is not simply a financial plan. It is a moral document that reveals our priorities and values.
May this year’s budget become an instrument of renewal—an opportunity to rebuild trust, restore accountability, and ensure that every peso truly serves the common good.
Prayer for the Philippines, Our Leaders, and the 2026 National Budget
God of truth, justice, and mercy, We come before You carrying the burdens of our nation. You see the wounds caused by corruption,the disappointment of broken promises, and the pain of communities left behind by projects that never existed.
Lord, heal our land. Awaken the hearts of our leaders. Give them the courage to confront wrongdoing, the humility to correct past failures, and the integrity to serve with honesty and compassion.
May this moment of national reckoning be a turning point— a call to become better leaders, faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to them.
Awaken also the hearts of Your people. Teach us to be vigilant and discerning, to speak the truth with love, and to participate actively in building a society where justice prevails and where no one is left behind.
Bless the 2026 National Budget, O Lord. Purify its intentions, guide its implementation, and protect it from corruption and misuse.
May every peso reach the communities it is meant to uplift— the poor, the workers, the farmers, the youth, the elderly, and all who long for a better future.
Under the mantle of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje, guide our nation toward peace, integrity, and renewal.
May Your Spirit restore trust where it has been broken and lead us toward a future where justice and compassion reign. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Editor’s Note: Ruperto Cruz Santos is the Bishop of Antipolo and currently CBCP Bishop Promoter of Stella Maris-Philippines.)
Very true Biahop. It is lamentabke how they have squandered our collective money for personal satisfaction. People die of hunger, poverty of not being treated when they suffer fron illness, they don’t have peace of mind during downpours.