Manila: Senate leaders on Tuesday stood firm that the bicameral conference committee on the proposed 2026 national budget must be livestreamed, following reports that some members of the House of Representatives prefer closed-door proceedings. Senate President Vicente Sotto III stated that he will not allow the bicam on House Bill No. 4058, the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), to proceed without livestreaming, emphasizing that transparency had already been agreed upon with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
According to Philippines News Agency, Sotto expressed his determination in an ambush interview, saying, 'Hindi ako papayag. Hindi ako papayag na hindi naka-livestream (I will not allow it. I will not allow it not to be livestreamed).' He further mentioned that Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' Dy did not raise any objections during their LEDAC meeting. Sotto explained that the agreement for livestreaming had been established long ago and is now considered standard operating procedure (SOP).
Sotto dismissed concerns that livestreaming could lead to a deadlock, asserting that it does not affect the substance of budget deliberations but ensures accountability. 'Gusto namin naka-open, kitang-kita ng publiko kung sinu-sino ang naglagay nito. ano ang budget para sa DepEd, DOH, DA (We want it open so the public can clearly see who inserted what. and what the budgets are for Departments of Education, Health and Agriculture),' he said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson confirmed that senators have been informed of 'some resistance' from House members regarding livestreaming. He mentioned that finance committee chair Sen. Win Gatchalian is coordinating directly with his House counterparts and noted that the Senate has already adopted a concurrent resolution requiring livestreaming of bicam proceedings. 'Ilalaban namin basta't kailangan i-livestream (We will fight for it because it must be livestreamed),' Lacson stated.
The bicameral conference committee is expected to convene this week, with senators maintaining that public access to the proceedings is essential to ensuring transparency in the approval of the national budget.
