Bataan 1st District Rep. Antonino “Tony” Roman III has formally filed a strengthened version of the Cadena Bill, now House Bill No. 7450, aimed at further promoting transparency and public participation in the national budget process. The measure was submitted last week at the House of Representatives as part of Roman’s continuing push for open and accountable governance.

Unlike earlier proposals that focused mainly on government expenditures, the enhanced Cadena Bill now includes provisions that also cover government revenues.

Rep. Roman said that under the bill, citizens will be able to see not only how public funds are spent but also where these funds originate, providing what Roman described as a complete and accurate picture of the country’s fiscal situation.

The proposed measure seeks to institutionalize the full “budget chain” or cadena—from revenue generation and allocation to disbursement and monitoring. By making both income and spending data accessible and understandable to the public, the bill aims to address gaps in transparency that often limit meaningful scrutiny of the national budget.

Cong. Roman emphasized that genuine transparency should not be selective, noting that it is insufficient for the public to know only where government money goes. He said it is equally important for citizens to understand how funds are raised, including taxes, fees, and other sources of state income, to strengthen accountability across all branches of government.

If enacted, House Bill 7450 is expected to enhance budget review processes in Congress and empower citizens, civil society groups, and media organizations to actively participate in fiscal decision-making. The measure aligns with broader reforms advocating open data, informed public discourse, and stronger democratic oversight of government finances.

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