Reuniting on the campaign trail after their 2022 tandem bid, the veteran lawmakers are highlighting their signature advocacy: the Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE), which seeks to decentralize the national budget by allocating more funds directly to local government units (LGUs).
“We need to empower our LGUs by providing them with the necessary resources to effectively serve their constituents,” Sotto said in a campaign sortie.
He added: “We’ve seen how centralization limits development. BRAVE will ensure every barangay can respond to its own needs.”
Lacson, a longtime watchdog of the national budget and critic of discretionary insertions, stressed that empowering LGUs also cuts the space for corruption.
“When funds are downloaded directly to communities with clear accountability, there’s less room for abuse,” Lacson said.
“We’ve fought hard against pork barrel and hidden lump sums. The fight continues,” he pointed out.
The two are campaigning on their long track records as legislators known for fiscal discipline and institutional reform.
Lacson, a former Philippine National Police chief, earned a reputation in the Senate for uncovering and blocking billions in questionable appropriations.
Sotto, who served as Senate President from 2018 to 2022, was known for building consensus and steering major policy reforms through the chamber.
Their joint return under the Senate slate endorsed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. positions them as key voices in the coalition’s pitch for governance reform.
Lacson also renewed his call for stricter scrutiny of the national budget, reiterating his longstanding position.
“The national budget is the most important piece of legislation Congress passes every year. That’s where corruption hides—so that’s where we should focus,” he said.
Sotto echoed the message, saying the public deserves honest, competent leadership.
“We’re not just offering experience. We’re offering a clear, actionable platform that can fix the system. We’ve done it before. We can do it again,” he stressed.
As they seek a return to the Senate, Sotto and Lacson are relying on voters’ trust, highlighting their track record and commitment to honest, effective governance. #
