The bicameral conference committee tasked to reconcile the conflicting provisions of the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025 have agreed to hold an “open bicam” during the next meeting. 

Sen. Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, said both the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives have agreed to discuss in public the changes they have made in the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) to make the budget process more transparent. 

“We both agreed,” Poe confirmed in a message to reporters. 

This means, legislators who are part of the meeting would be able to openly ask questions and discuss contentious issues in the budget particularly the controversial funds for the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) and the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

“Yes, our colleagues are welcome to ask in the open,” she said. 

Earlier, Sen. Imee Marcos asked Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Poe to boost transparency and dialogue during the bicameral conference committee meeting on the national budget to “avoid last-minute insertions and unpleasant surprises.”

“It is critical that we adopt a collaborative and transparent approach in crafting the GAB. This isn’t just about numbers, it’s about shaping the future of our country,” Sen. Marcos said.

The Senate retained the P733-million budget approved by the House in its version of the 2025 national budget for Vice President Sara Duterte’s office. 

Both chambers are also expected to tackle the P39-billion budget for AKAP but which was removed by the Senate in its version.