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PhilstarLIVE - Philstar.com
December 13, 2025 | 1:18pm
MANILA, Philippines — The Bicameral Conference Committee (Bicam) on Saturday, December 13, will begin its deliberations on the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, as the House of Representatives and the Senate work to reconcile differences between their respective versions.
The hearings follow the swift passage of both chambers’ General Appropriations Bills (GAB), amid public scrutiny over flood control allocations and the use of confidential funds.
For the first time, the bicam proceedings are being livestreamed, allowing the public to monitor in real-time how lawmakers negotiate key realignments and last-minute insertions.
The move responds to renewed calls from watchdog groups and economists for greater transparency in the so-called “last mile” of the budget process, where negotiations have traditionally been conducted behind closed doors.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said earlier this week that the livestream is intended to ensure full transparency.
"We are making sure all details are exhibited and exposed for transparency so the HOR can examine our version and for us to examine theirs. This includes all annexes,” Sotto said, adding that technical staff have been working overtime to harmonize line-by-line, project-level entries.
The bicam is also under pressure to finalize the 2026 GAB before Congress’ Christmas break, in order to avoid a reenacted budget next year.
Lawmakers are expected to tackle major differences between the House and Senate proposals, including allocations for infrastructure, social services and key government agencies such as education, health and agriculture.
Flagged items, such as lump-sum appropriations and realignments, are also on the agenda, amid concerns that these could create opportunities for patronage or misuse of public funds.
Watch the Bicameral Conference Committee deliberation live on Saturday at 2 p.m.
