Aquino Aims for Tech-Neutral “Blockchain The Budget Bill” After Senate Public Hearing Feedback

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Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV admitted that he and his team may have overlooked a key concern in drafting the proposed Philippine National Budget Blockchain Act, also known as the Blockchain the Budget Bill, cautioning that the measure risks legislating a specific technology instead of focusing on its intended goal of transparency.

Aquino: Will Make Room for Future Technologies 

During the public hearing for the bill under the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Aquino responded to remarks from legal experts who expressed full support for the bill but cautioned that it could inadvertently define blockchain too narrowly.

It was after Gleim Brean Eran, the founding member and current chairperson of the Philippine Association of Fintech Lawyers, stressed that if passed, the measure could provide the first legal definition of blockchain in the Philippines, a step that would support the principle of technology neutrality while establishing a foundation for future use cases—specific laws.

“We have to understand po itong the concept between law and technology. Since noong panahon pa nang unang nabubuhay mga ancestor natin, itong dalawang konseptong ito, lagi po ito nag-uunahan… Hindi po basta-basta na-co-codified even the most basic technologies.

In relation sa SB 1330, we can strike a balance between the two. Kasi ang philosophy po dito is that, we cannot put a Tesla engine in a 1900 Ford Model A vehicle. Ang ibig sabihin ko po noon, the Tesla engine is the technology, and the Model A is a figure of speech sa legal framework natin.

We just have to reinforce our laws.”

Gleim Brean Eran, Founding Member and Chairperson, Philippine Association of Fintech Lawyers

Aquino acknowledged the insights shared, noting the need to maintain flexibility in legislating technology.

“We missed this—we were so excited with the blockchain budget bill that hindi namin nakita that we are legislating the technology. It is funny kasi in the other bills, sinasabi ko lagi na mali ‘yun. We also got comments from netizens not to legislate the technology—and we know that.”

Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Senator, 20th Congress of the Philippines

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Earlier in the hearing, the senator emphasized that the bill’s language should remain open to future innovations.

“We will create language to make room for future technologies.” 

Moreover, in response to Eran, Aquino assured stakeholders that the committee recognizes the importance of maintaining flexibility in technology-related legislation:

“And we will do our best to create some ‘tech-flex,’ flexibility in terms of technology as well as, and we will do our best to create some tech flexibility in terms of the technology. As well as pointing to the benefits of blockchain that we can see now that it has.”

At the end of the hearing, Aquino stated that they will move the bill to a technical working group for refinement:

“We will be referring SB 1330 to the technical working group. We hope everybody will be as enthusiastic in supporting it there. Rest assured, marami pa pong pagbabago ang makikita kasi nung ginawa po namin yung unang version, opisina ko lang po ‘yan. Pero ngayon po na nandito na tayong lahat, we aim to really make this a good bill.”

What is the Blockchain the Budget Bill?

Officially filed on September 2, 2025, Senate Bill No. 1330 seeks to make the Philippines the first country to place its national budget on blockchain. The measure aims to fight corruption, promote transparency, and allow citizens to track every peso’s public spending in real time.

Under the proposal, a National Budget Blockchain System will record all budget-related transactions, from preparation and legislation to fund release and audit, on an immutable digital ledger. Citizens will be able to view and verify these records through a public-facing online portal, while smart contracts will automate fund disbursement only when project milestones are met.

The bill designates the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) as the lead implementing agency, working with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Commission on Audit. It also provides ₱500 million in initial funding to develop infrastructure, cybersecurity, and training.

Initially, the announcement drew mixed reactions online. Supporters praised the move for promoting transparency and accountability, while others raised concerns about implementation costs, cybersecurity, and the need for accompanying anti-corruption measures to ensure genuine accountability.

Moreover, actors Edu Manzano and John Arcilla, along with political commentator Chris Tan, also expressed support for the bill.

• Manzano and Arcilla said the measure could make corruption “obsolete” by providing tamper-proof public records and ensuring transparency in fund releases through smart contracts.
• Tan, meanwhile, backed the proposal but warned that resistance may come from lawmakers who either lack understanding of the technology or fear its accountability features, urging public education and a broader awareness of blockchain governance.

On October 2, 2025, the bill had its public hearing, where DICT Secretary Henry Aguda and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong expressed support, citing blockchain’s potential to curb corruption and enhance data traceability. Industry groups, including the Blockchain Council of the Philippines and BayaniChain, also backed the proposal.

According to Aquino, the bill is currently in the second stage of the legislative process.

Feedback on Blockchain in Government

In addition, there are currently 12 blockchain-related measures filed in the 20th Congress, aiming to strengthen digital asset regulation and promote government transparency. At the same time, agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, DBM, DICT, and the local government of Baguio City have started implementing blockchain systems to improve transparency and accountability in public projects.

Worth Reading: BitPinas articles about different opinions concerning putting the national budget in blockchain.

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