Sen. Bam Aquino has questioned why the proposed Cadena Act, which would put government budget information on blockchain, was left out of the shortened list of priority measures under governance and anti-corruption reforms.
During a Senate hearing on Thursday, Aug. 27, Aquino asked Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) secretary Arsenio Balisacan why the measure, previously called the Blockchain the Budget Bill, appeared to have been deprioritized despite being identified as a priority measure in 2025 and 2026.
“What’s the reason why it’s not on this list? Are you not supporting this bill, Secretary?” Aquino asked.
Balisacan said the measure remains on the longer list of priorities of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), but was excluded when government and congressional leaders shortened the list for the next 12 months.
“They decided to shorten it at least for the next 12 months, to ensure that we get the measures that are so critical,” Balisacan said.
Aquino argued that the Cadena Act should be among the measures prioritized because it has already passed the Senate on third reading.
“Secretary, this has passed already on third reading here in the Senate. Secretary Joey (Salceda) is also here. Pasado na po ito dito sa Senado. If you want it passed in 12 months, this is one of the measures that can be passed right away,” Aquino said.
He said the proposal would put the budget on blockchain and include information on contractors and the prices of construction materials.
“This bill, which will put the budget on blockchain, pati ‘yung mga contractor, pati ‘yung presyo ng semento, ng pako, at lahat-lahat, napag-usapan na po natin from 2025 na mahalaga po ito,” Aquino said.
Balisacan said measures outside the shortened priority list could still advance with support from Congress and the executive branch.
Aquino, however, pointed out that some measures included in the priority list were at earlier stages of the legislative process, while the Cadena Act had already been approved by the Senate seven months ago.
“Wala ho sya dito, it’s very bothersome. Alam ho natin lahat how powerful this bill can be,” Aquino said.
He also linked the push for the measure to demands for greater transparency following the flood control controversy.
“Nung kasagsagan nung flood control scandal, we all agreed we would push for this, and push for full transparency,” he said.
Aquino said the measure has also passed the House Committee on Science and Technology and is only awaiting action from the Committee on Appropriations before it can be finalized in the House.
“Konting-konti na lang po ‘yan. I hope we can pass this. This can be a legacy of this administration and this Senate and Congress. Na finally, we put all of the — all of these measures on the blockchain, makita po ng taumbayan,” Aquino said.
Balisacan said he would bring Aquino’s concern to the LEDAC leadership.
“We will, Mr. Chair, we’ll make the representation, Mr. Chair, we’ll bring that issue, that concern to the leadership of LEDAC. Yes,” he said.
