MANILA, Philippines — In a press conference held on January 16, 2026, non-government organization Ipabitagmo Inc. (NGO-IBMI) invited Crime Buster and Advocate Against Crime and Corruption Ben ‘BITAG’ Tulfo to call on lawmakers to institutionalize Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) and to refile and pass the Anti-Epal Bill.
The discussion focused on encouraging the Filipino people to participate in the preparation, creation and passing of the national budget. IBMI-NGO pushes to institutionalize BUB to be able to dismantle the culture of political patronage that has long plagued government projects.
Breaking the cycle of corruption: Institutionalized Bottom-Up Budgeting
Ben BITAG, speaking as an advocate against crime and all forms of corruption, emphasized that the current budget system often leaves the common citizen or the public in the dark and the current problems in the country are merely symptoms of a deeper issue.
“The principle of BUB is rooted in people’s participation,” Ben BITAG stated. “If we have a clear, legislated system, the people will proactively know what is being done and where the money is going. This is about inclusivity.”
Originally introduced during the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III, BUB was designed to allow local communities to identify their own needs. However, it currently exists only as a memorandum or guideline, making it optional to implement of the succeeding administrations.
Crime Buster Ben BITAG and the IBMI-NGO are pushing to institutionalize the process to make it mandatory and obligatory that once violated will be sanctioned by the law.
NGO-IBMI and Ben BITAG emphasizes the following keynotes:
- Participation is the Key: BUB ensures people at the “bottom” will participate in governance.
- Proactive Oversight: With a clear BUB system, citizens become “alerted” and “proactive,” knowing exactly where and how funds are being spent.
- Eliminating “Insertions”: Atty. Rean Balisi and Atty. Alex Lopez, legal counsels of NGO-IBMI highlighted that BUB would replace “illegal insertions” with “institutionalized amendments,” making it harder for politicians to hide “raket” or projects designed for kickbacks.
Ending Political Patronage: The Anti-Epal Bill
The second major highlight of the conference was the renewed push for the Anti-Epal Bill, first filed by the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago in the 13th Congress.
The term “Epal” refers to politicians who credit themselves for government-funded projects through posters, billboards, and social media branding.
Ben BITAG slammed officials who use public funds to boost their personal images. “Ang kakapal ng mukha,” calling for an end to the culture of credit-grabbing.
Ben BITAG stressed that this practice fosters a culture of political patronage, where citizens feel beholden to a politician for services that are actually paid for by taxpayers.
“It’s time to move away from political favors and toward a standard of service that doesn’t require a politician’s face on a guarantee letter or a billboard,” Ben BITAG, said.
In addition, Ms. Apple Meneses, Executive Director of NGO-IBMI called for a vigilant citizenry. She noted that while guarantee letters for aid (ayuda) are compassionate tools, they should be handled strictly by agencies like the DSWD to ensure they are not used as political leverage during election seasons.
Addressing the “Systemic” Corruption
One of the members of the media brought up the “Rootable Formula,” where certain allocations are favored in exchange for political favors.
Ben BITAG countered that legislating BUB would make the budget “expectant” and transparent, leaving little room for “For Later Release” (FLR) funds to be used as bargaining chips.
When asked if these laws would finally stop the stealing of public funds, Ben BITAG Tulfo was blunt: “It depends on the people. If the citizenry participates and watches over the budget, the thieves will have a much harder time.”
Ben BITAG challenged the sitting Senators and congressmen — including his own brothers to “wake up” and prioritized these bills.
“BUB didn’t originate from us, but it would be a waste if it isn’t passed into law. We need one standard, one measuring state. We are fighting for a future free from crime and corruption.” Ben BITAG, Advocate Against Crime and Corruption said.
The message to the Senate and to the House is clear: The time for “Epal” politics is over. The time for a bottom-up, transparent system is now.
