Filipino Celebrities Back Bam Aquino’s ‘Blockchain the Budget’ Bill
Actors Edu Manzano and John Arcilla, along with commentator Chris Tan, publicly endorsed Senate Bill 1330—known as the Blockchain the Budget Bill—during interviews with BitPinas. The bill, filed by Senator Bam Aquino IV, aims to place the Philippine national budget on a blockchain ledger. Supporters argue that the Blockchain the Budget Bill would make government spending records immutable, traceable, and transparent, drastically reducing opportunities for corruption. Manzano highlighted blockchain’s smart contract feature to link payments to project milestones, while Arcilla emphasized real-time public access to budget allocations. Tan warned that resistance may come from lawmakers unfamiliar with the technology and proposed a public awareness campaign and crypto-based transactions to strengthen accountability. If passed, the legislation could position the Philippines as the first nation to adopt blockchain for nationwide budget tracking.
Bullish
The endorsement of the Blockchain the Budget Bill by high-profile public figures and a sitting senator signals growing political support for blockchain in governance. Government adoption often legitimizes technology and can spur wider institutional investment. Historical parallels include Estonia’s e-government push, which boosted local blockchain startups and drove demand for digital services. In the short term, positive sentiment may lift developer activity and token prices linked to government-focused blockchains. Over the long term, nationwide implementation could set a precedent for other countries, expanding enterprise blockchain projects and improving market confidence. This multifaceted support suggests a bullish outlook for blockchain adoption and associated digital asset markets.