Public bicam deliberations should not be ‘mere photo ops’ — ACT Teachers

Metro Manila, Philippines - ACT Teachers party-list representatives proposed live public access to proceedings and disclosure of changes during the next bicameral conference committee budget deliberations, supporting House Speaker Martin Romualdez’ call for transparency.

In a statement on Sunday, June 29, outgoing House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. France Castro and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep.-elect Antonio Tinio welcomed the call to publicize the bicam proceedings.

However, the solons urged that this commitment must translate into “genuine openness and accountability,” and not just serve as a “photo opportunity” as experienced in previous years.

“Transparency in the budget process is crucial to restoring public trust, ensuring that every peso is spent for the welfare of the people, not for pork barrel or political patronage,” Castro said.

The lawmakers aired several proposals for “genuine openness” during the proceedings:

• Live public access to all bicameral proceedings, with recordings and minutes published in full

• Detailed disclosure of all amendments, including authors and justifications

• Timely publication of bicam reports before ratification, allowing the public and civil society to scrutinize changes

• Inclusion of representatives from affected sectors as observers in bicameral meetings

“We call on the House leadership to institutionalize these reforms, not just for this budget but for all legislation,” Castro said.

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

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

Last year, the Makabayan bloc filed a resolution to open the bicam to the public, instead of being limited to designated lawmakers.