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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House 'Young Guns' back PBBM's call to livestream 2026 budget bicam hearings

House 'Young Guns' back PBBM's call to livestream 2026 budget bicam hearings

Published Oct 17, 2025 03:28 pm

At A Glance

  • The House "Young Guns" bloc have expressed support for President Marcos' directive for Congress to livestream the Bicameral Conference Committee hearings on the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026.
The House of Representatives (PPAB)
The House of Representatives (PPAB)


The House "Young Guns" bloc have expressed support for President Marcos' directive for Congress to livestream the Bicameral Conference Committee hearings on the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026.
In a joint statement Friday, Oct. 17, the Young Guns says the livestreaming marks a significant step toward true transparency in the whole budget process.
The bicam is composed of two small contingents from the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The Young Guns' said the move to livestream the bicam deliberations on the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) is consistent with the House of Representatives' broader efforts to enhance transparency and public participation in the legislative process.
The proposal to open the traditionally closed-door bicam hearings to the public was first floated former House Speaker, Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez, earlier in the ongoing 20th Congress. This, along with other pro-transparency measures were endorsed by Romualdez's successor, current Speaker, Isabela 6th district Rep. Faustino "Bojie" Dy III.
"I strongly support this directive of the President — for the public see the budget process from the beginning up the bicameral conference committee," Young Guns member, assistant majority leader, Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said.
"Initiatives such as inviting Civil Society Organizations (CSO) to serve as budget watchdogs and the livestreaming of Budget Authorization and Review Sub Committee (BARSc) reflect a commitment to openness and accountability," he added.
Deputy Speaker La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V says President Marcos' directive "is a game-changer that restores faith in our institutions".
"By livestreaming the bicam, we are not just discussing the budget—we are inviting every Filipino to join the conversation, ensuring that public funds are allocated with the utmost integrity and in line with our socioeconomic priorities," he said.
Echoing these sentiments, Deputy Speaker Zamboanga 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun says that making the bicam hearings public "step sets a new benchmark for trust and integrity in governance".
He further says that the move "rejects secrecy" and makes a "promise to our people that every peso will be accounted for".
"The public has every right to see where their taxes go, and livestreaming the bicameral conference delivers on that promise. This openness ensures every Filipino can hold us accountable for how their hard-earned money is spent," the bloc said.
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