Romualdez backs publicizing bicameral panel budget deliberations

Metro Manila, Philippines - House Speaker Martin Romualdez is in support of publicizing the next bicameral conference committee budget deliberations for transparency.

Using the #OpenBicam on social media, former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno called for the live streaming of the committee’s budget deliberations in the 20th Congress to guard public funds and to ensure that the public’s interest is prioritized.

“Transparency and accountability must be the cornerstones of the budget process,” Romualdez said in a statement on Friday, June 27. “This is a crucial step in restoring public trust and ensuring that the national budget truly reflects the will and welfare of the people.”

“We owe it to every Filipino to ensure that the budget is crafted with integrity, discipline, and full disclosure,” he added.

During budget deliberations, the Senate and the House of Representatives scrutinize the national fund separately. Once approved, a bicameral conference committee will be formed to reconcile the differences in the two chambers’ versions.

The Senate and House’s discussions are streamed online but not the bicameral deliberations.

“We passed key accountability measures. Now we must build on that momentum by opening the most sensitive and final stages of the legislative process to the Filipino people,” Romualdez said.

He urged Filipinos to watch how the national budget is being studied and crafted.

Last year, the Makabayan bloc filed a resolution to open the bicameral conference committee to the public, instead of being closed to designated lawmakers.