The Senate is open to proposals seeking to enhance transparency of the budget process by opening the bicameral deliberations to the public.

Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said the bicameral conference is a joint undertaking of the Senate and the House of Representatives, so both chambers have “a shared responsibility to ensure that the process is open and transparent and consistent with the constitutional precept that public office is a public trust.”

Moreover, Bantug said, the Senate has institutionalized transparency in the budget process.

“Members of the media have long been invited to cover bicameral conference committee meetings on the General Appropriations Bill (GAB). This consistent practice reflects our commitment to openness and accountability,” Bantug said in a statement.

“Calls to increase transparency in the bicam are always welcome. The Senate is open to serious proposals that will enhance public access and understanding of the crafting of the national budget,” he added.

Likewise, the Senate also welcome public scrutiny and involvement in the budget process.

“Our kababayan have every right to know how their money is spent, and their active participation helps ensure that their elected representatives remain responsive and accountable to the people who entrusted us with this responsibility,” he said.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson also welcomed this proposal saying he had always fought for opening the bicameral conference deliberations on the national budget measure to the public or at least, to accredited non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs) and the media.

“One of the 10 priority bills that I will file starting June 30 is a bill to ensure transparency in the bicam deliberations on the national budget bill - a proposed measure I have filed in past Congresses,” Lacson said.

“I hope there will be a counterpart bill in the House for my bill in the Senate,” he added.

Lacson said he is hopeful that such transparency will materialize in the 20th Congress noting that House members, led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, have voiced support for opening the bicam deliberations to the public.

Sen. Imee Marcos also welcomed the proposal saying she is one of those advocating transparency in the budget process without compromising the power of the purse of Congress.

“As you may recall, I stood up in plenary to voice out my concerns on the lack of transparency in the approval of the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill,” Marcos said.

“Earlier then, I requested the leadership of the Senate to inform the members of the Bicam of the amendments introduced in the report before its reatification in plenary, however, my request was never given due consideration,” she lamented.

“I just hope that this new Congress will take it upon itself to scrutinize fairly the proposed 2026 budget and practice more transparency in its preparation,” Marcos said.