Manila: Senate President Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III has rejected claims that the Senate has been involved in reducing the budgets of congressional districts, labelling the accusations as 'unfounded' and tantamount to 'black propaganda.'

According to Philippines News Agency, during the ongoing budget plenary deliberations, Sotto addressed the concerns raised by several district representatives from the House of Representatives. These representatives had reportedly approached Sotto's political officer with worries about perceived budget reductions for their districts in the Senate, allegedly spearheaded by Sotto and Senator Panfilo Lacson.

Sotto clarified to the chamber that these concerns were baseless and assured that the Senate had not interfered with the budgets of the districts. He emphasized that the Finance chairman could corroborate this statement.

He advised House members to seek clarification directly from their colleagues involved in the budget process. Sotto suggested, "I suggest. discuss your apprehensions with your chairman of Appropriations. Tanungin niyo (You ask) because that's not happening here."

Sotto reinforced that the Senate had refrained from making any amendments that would impact district allocations. He stated, "Wala kaming inii-slash or ginagalaw sa mga districts ng GAB (We are not slashing or altering district budgets in the General Appropriations Bill). As a matter of fact, we have not touched anything yet. These are all periods of interpellations."

He further remarked that the allegations suggesting he and Lacson had reduced district budgets were clearly intended to mislead.

Sotto also mentioned that Senate Finance Committee Chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian confirmed there had been no such budgetary deletions. Sotto recounted, "I asked him earlier, is that possible? And he said it's not possible and we have not done such slashing that they are talking about."

The Senate is currently in the interpellation phase of deliberating on the 2026 national budget.