Quezon City, October 16, 2025

In a wide-ranging and candid conversation over coffee, Attorney Levito Baligod sat down with this broadcast journalist to unpack the complex layers of Philippine governance—from the enduring pork barrel system to the philosophical underpinnings of law, economic policy, and regional security. The discussion offered a sobering yet insightful look into the challenges facing democratic institutions and the urgent need for reform.

Pork Barrel Politics and the Illusion of Independence

Baligod began by dissecting the 2026 National Budget, revealing how pork barrel insertions continue to plague the system despite Supreme Court rulings. Legislators, he explained, exploit a legal loophole that allows them to insert funds during the budget approval phase—an act not explicitly prohibited by the Court.

“The president is like the mayor, and Congress is just another local council,” Baligod remarked. “What the president wants, Congress follows. It’s a replication at every level.”

He recalled the misuse of the Countrywide Development Fund during the 12th Congress, now rebranded under acronyms like PDAF, AICS, and MAICS. Despite these changes, the underlying issue remains: lawmakers lack independent funding and are beholden to executive influence.

Arbitrary Allocations and Ghost Projects

The conversation highlighted how legislators allocate millions of pesos based on guesswork, often without feasibility studies, cost estimates, or programmatic justification. These insertions bypass normal budgetary processes, leading to ghost infrastructure projects and substandard implementation.

Baligod cited flood control initiatives as examples—some built in areas with no flooding issues, others left incomplete. The executive branch frequently remains unaware of the purpose behind these insertions, weakening fiscal discipline and transparency.

A Call for Medium-Term Planning

To address these systemic flaws, Baligod advocated for aligning the national budget with a medium-term development plan tied to the President’s agenda. Such a framework would lock in priorities over six years, reduce arbitrary annual shifts, and limit legislative insertions.

“Medium-term planning promotes continuity, better project implementation, and aligns spending with strategic goals,” he said.

On Bending the Law

Baligod offered a philosophical reflection on legal manipulation:

“When you bend the law, you extend the arc of another person’s right but you constrict the right of another also.”

This observation underscores the delicate balance between legal flexibility and the erosion of justice—especially in a system where laws are often bent to serve political ends.

Economic Reflections and Resource Sovereignty

On the economy, Baligod emphasized the need for value-added processing of mineral resources. “No exportation of raw minerals,” he insisted, arguing that the country should retain value by refining and manufacturing locally rather than exporting raw wealth.

Accountability and the COA

Discussing the Commission on Audit’s Notice of Disallowance (NDA), Baligod expressed frustration that only minor officials comply with COA rulings. “The small fry respond, but lawmakers who receive NDAs? No reports of compliance,” he said, highlighting a troubling gap in enforcement and accountability.

The Law of Imitation and Innovation

Baligod also touched on the creative process, outlining a progression from imitation to invention:

– Imitate 

– Improve 

– Improvise 

– Innovate 

– Invent 

He stressed that imitation is not only allowed—it’s a foundation for innovation and national development.

Taiwan and Regional Security

On geopolitical tensions, Baligod warned of China’s strategic options regarding Taiwan. He outlined three possibilities:

1. Strike the mainland to defend Taiwan. 

2. Use Filipinos to defend Taiwan. 

3. Destabilize the Philippines internally—especially if reports of thousands of Chinese nationals in the country are accurate.

“If only 1,000 of them create trouble, it could be catastrophic,” he cautioned.

Conclusion: 

Over a simple cup of coffee, Attorney Baligod delivered a masterclass in civic awareness, legal insight, and geopolitical foresight. His reflections challenge us to rethink the systems we often take for granted and call for a renewed commitment to transparency, strategic planning, and principled leadership in Philippine governance.

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