Last February 28, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, PAHRA hosted the second episode of TAuMBAYAN 2025, titled "Hello, Graft, Never Again: Usaping Karapatan at National Budget." The event was conducted in a hybrid format, streamed live on PAHRA’s Facebook page while also gathering an onsite audience at the PAHRA Office.


The episode featured a discussion on the 2025 National Budget and its implications on human rights, exposing issues of misallocation and questionable funding. Egay Cabalitan and Fae Taroc of PAHRA served as the hosts for the event.


The program began with an introduction, where the hosts welcomed the audience and encouraged them to share the live stream. They highlighted the theme of the episode, emphasizing how the 2025 National Budget had disappointed and failed the people.


An interactive icebreaker game engaged both onsite and online participants. The game involved answering questions about the national budget using emojis, with winners receiving PAHRA merchandise and GCash prizes. The questions covered budget increases, allocations for confidential funds, and subsidies for essential services.


During the main discussion, the speakers delved into two key issues: human rights and the national budget. They examined the significance of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and how the Philippine government had been assessed by the UN Committee on ESCR. They also discussed the joint ESCR report submitted by PAHRA and iDefend, highlighting key concerns regarding human rights and economic policies.


The conversation then shifted to the 2025 National Budget, which had increased but was criticized for its inequitable allocations. The panelists debated its impact on various sectors and how it violated fundamental human rights. Participants, both onsite and online, shared their thoughts through comments and live questions.


Part 2 of the discussion focused on Indigenous Peoples' rights, the environment, mining, and the climate emergency in the context of the ESCR report of CSOs. The panel featured Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM); Judy Pasimio, National Coordinator of Lilak, Purple Action of Indigenous Women's Rights; Leon Dulce from Legal Rights Resource Center (LRC); and Krishna Ariola of Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED). They examined how the national budget failed to support environmental protection and Indigenous Peoples' rights while favoring extractive industries. The speakers emphasized the urgent need for policy reforms and increased accountability to address these critical issues.


The episode concluded with a discussion on possible actions to address budget injustices. Speakers emphasized the need for continued advocacy, public pressure, and participation in human rights initiatives to prevent similar budgetary issues in the future. The hosts thanked the speakers and audience for their participation in both sessions of TAuMBAYAN Episodes.