DEPUTY Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union on Monday welcomed the appointment of public finance practitioner and University of the Philippines (UP) professor Kim Robert de Leon as Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), saying his entry into the Cabinet presents an opportunity to strengthen transparency, modernize systems, and advance progressive budget reforms.

“Malugod nating binabati ang appointment ni Secretary Kim Robert de Leon na may karanasan sa DBM, DOTr (Department of Transportation) academe, at institutional reform work, may pagkakataon siyang magdala ng bagong sigla sa budget governance,” Ortega said.

De Leon previously served as DBM undersecretary from 2021 to 2022, later became undersecretary at the Department of Transportation (DOTr), worked in the Office of the President, and taught at University of the Philippines Diliman.

Ortega said De Leon’s background is significant because the DBM plays a central role in government accountability and public trust.

“Ang DBM ang bantay-pinto ng pambansang pondo. Kapag malinaw, malinis, at madaling masuri ang budget process, mas lumalakas ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa gobyerno,” Ortega said.

The La Union House leader said the appointment comes at a crucial time as public demand continues to grow for greater transparency in appropriations, tighter safeguards against questionable insertions, and clearer monitoring of how public funds are released and spent.

“The national budget must be more than a spending plan. It must be a public trust document—clear enough for citizens to scrutinize, disciplined enough to prevent abuse, and managed in a way that ensures every peso is spent prudently and reaches the people it is intended to serve,” Ortega said.

He added that the House is prepared to work closely with De Leon and the DBM in pursuing progressive budget reforms, including stronger digital tracking of allocations, clearer disclosure of budget adjustments, tighter standards for fund releases, and more measurable outcomes for government programs.

“Makakaasa si Secretary De Leon na handang makipagtulungan ang Kamara sa mga repormang magpapalakas sa transparency, accountability, at people-centered budgeting upang masigurong bawat piso ng taumbayan ay nagagamit nang maayos at may malinaw na pakinabang sa publiko,” Ortega said.

Ortega also said younger leadership in fiscal governance could help modernize outdated systems, provided it is accompanied by institutional discipline and openness to legislative oversight.

“Youth in leadership must translate into speed, innovation, and courage to fix weak systems. We hope Secretary De Leon will use his mandate to make budgeting more transparent, evidence-based, and responsive to ordinary Filipinos,” Ortega said.

He added that good governance requires sustained coordination between the Executive and Congress, particularly in ensuring that national spending supports economic growth, social protection, local development, and equitable access to public services.

“Hindi sapat na mabilis gumastos ang gobyerno. Dapat tama ang pinaggagastusan, malinaw ang proseso, at may pananagutan sa bawat pisong inilalabas,” Ortega said.

“The House will work with the new DBM leadership to advance budget reforms that are transparent, progressive, and accountable to the Filipino people,” Ortega added.