ALYANSA Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates pledged to fight for increased education funding, improved implementation of free tertiary education, and stronger support from local governments to ease the burden on students and their families nationwide.

Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III vowed to protect the education budget—going as far as pledging to donate his Senate salary to help poor students if elected.

“I guarantee you, we will not allow what happened last year, where huge cuts were made to the education and health budgets, and the money was spent elsewhere,” Sotto said.

“We will never allow that to happen again. The education budget must be protected—and if needed, even increased,” he added.

Sotto also recounted the backstory of the landmark Free Tertiary Education Law, highlighting how he and other lawmakers helped reallocate ₱8 billion in unused funds to support CHED and the Department of Education.

Meanwhile, former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos called for more flexibility in the use of the Special Education Fund, saying that local governments can and should help cover gaps in national scholarship programs.

“Many LGUs have the money to fill the gaps,” Abalos said.

“That can include transportation, allowances, and other needs. We need to identify who among the poorest of the poor really need assistance,” he added.

Abalos also raised concerns about payment delays and financial risks faced by schools under the UniFAST system, calling for stronger Senate oversight.

“The Senate should take a closer look at this under its oversight function because payments to schools are often delayed. Otherwise, schools might suffer financially,” he said.

ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo, meanwhile, emphasized the need to institutionalize greater access for students to DSWD services and educational assistance.

Tulfo also pushed for a bill that would fund review programs for indigent students preparing for board or bar exams.

“If you are the child of a poor family—if you’re indigent—the government should shoulder your review expenses for your first board or bar exam,” he said.