PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced Wednesday that the bicameral conference committee meeting for the national budget would be livestreamed to promote transparency and accountability.
At a press conference, Marcos said he had already discussed the matter with Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III. “And to further encourage transparency, I intend to livestream the bicam. So, that’s what I told them already. There is no small committee,” Marcos said.
He added that livestreaming the entire process would make it clear who proposed any questionable insertions or additions to the budget.
The House of Representatives has already approved its version of the proposed P6.793 trillion national budget for 2026, realigning the entire P255 billion of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ initial proposed budget for locally-funded flood control projects.
Marcos expressed confidence that he would not need to veto the budget, as he has been involved in its preparation from the beginning and believes that all projects are aligned with the administration’s priorities. The President’s decision to livestream the bicameral conference committee meeting is a move towards greater transparency in the budget process and a commitment to ensuring that public funds are used effectively and responsibly.
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