Senator Bam Aquino is pressing the House of Representatives to pass a landmark transparency measure that would use blockchain technology to track government spending, arguing that digital innovation should be as much about rebuilding public trust as modernizing the economy.
Speaking before business leaders, fintech executives and policymakers at the ASEAN Tech Summit Manila 2026, Aquino renewed his call for the immediate passage of the proposed Citizens Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act, saying the measure would give taxpayers unprecedented visibility into how public funds are spent.
The Senate has already approved the bill, placing the spotlight on the House to complete the legislative process.
“The goal of the CADENA Act is simple: Every Filipino pays taxes. And every Filipino deserves to know where those taxes go,” Aquino said.
Formerly known as the Blockchain the Budget Bill, the measure would require government budget transactions to be recorded on a permanent, tamper-evident blockchain ledger, creating a verifiable digital trail that citizens could monitor.
Aquino framed the proposal as more than a technology initiative, saying transparency has become a competitive advantage as countries seek to attract investments and strengthen public institutions.
He argued that greater accountability can boost investor confidence, encourage civic participation and reinforce the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.
The proposal has gained traction since it was first discussed at last year’s Manila Tech Summit, where interest in applying blockchain to public finance accelerated amid growing calls for stronger fiscal accountability.
Aquino said the bill was refined through consultations involving more than 200 organizations before securing Senate approval, reflecting broad support from government, industry and civil society.
He urged the fintech sector, particularly the Fintech Alliance Philippines, to continue backing the measure as it moves through Congress.
“Technology should not only make payments faster or financial services more accessible. It should also make government more transparent, accountable and responsive to taxpayers,” Aquino said.
If enacted, the CADENA Act could position the Philippines among the early adopters of blockchain for public finance, signaling that the country’s digital ambitions extend beyond financial technology to governance itself.
