MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson expressed confidence that Congress has incorporated stronger safeguards in the proposed 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) to prevent political interference and ensure transparency in the use of public funds. Lacson said he was confident that Senate Committee on Finance chairman, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, pushed for key reforms during the bicameral conference committee deliberations, including provisions that prohibited the inclusion of politicians’ names, photos, or guarantee letters in the distribution of government assistance. “These so-called ‘epal’ practices will no longer be allowed in any form of aid,” Lacson said, stressing that public funds should not be used for political promotion. He cited the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) as one of the programs that would now be strictly implemented under the Universal Health Care framework. Under the safeguards, Lacson said, the release and distribution of medical assistance will be coursed directly through implementing agencies, with no intervention from elected officials.