The Bicarmeral Conference Committee hearings on the P6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) or proposed national budget for 2026 will begin Saturday, Dec. 13, with more eyes expected to watch every move of the lawmaker-participants than in any other bicam in history.

For the first time ever, every bit of the bicam will be livestreamed, thus giving the public the unprecedented opportunity to see how lawmakers reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions of the GAB as the bicam works to finalize the government’s spending plan for next year.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III recently announced the senators who will be part of the bicam for the upper chamber. 

Senate Finance Chairperson Senator Gatchalian will lead the Senate contingent, with Senators Mark Villar, Pia Cayetano, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Loren Legarda, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, and Camille Villar from the Senate Majority bloc joining him.

Senators Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Christopher “Bong” Go and Imee Marcos will also join the contingent representing the Senate minority bloc.

In an interview, Sotto stood pat on the Senate’s decision to livestream the proceedings of the bicam during the budget deliberation.

“It’s open to the public. It’s important to let the public see who made the budget proposal, who were the lawmakers involved and what are the budget for the three most important agencies—DepEd, DOH and agriculture,” the Senate leader said.

On the other hand, Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Nueva Ecija 1st district Rep. Mikaela Angela "Mika" Suansing, Deputy Speaker Ilocos Sur Rep. Kristen Singson-Meehan, and Minority Leader 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan will lead the 12-person House contingent to the bicam hearings on the proposed 2026 national budget.

Rounding up the House bicam team were Bataan 2nd district Rep. Albert Garcia, Palawan 2nd district Rep. Jose Alvarez, Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Camiguin lone district Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Parañaque City 2nd district Rep. Brian Yamsuan, Davao de Oro 1st district Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora, Surigao del Sur 1st district Rep. Romeo Momo Sr., LPGMA Party-list Rep. Allan Ty, and Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez.

Meanwhile, in an interview on Friday, Dec. 12, Gatchalian remained optimistic that the budget bill--touted for the transparency measures put in place following the flood control projects controversy--would be passed in time despite the delays.

"I think because of the move to make it transparent hindi na-account yung mga additional days for improved transparency which I think it's worth it nagdagdag ng araw, nagdagdag proseso para maging transparent (I think because of the move to make it transparent, the additional days weren’t counted, which I think is worth it—they added days and steps to make the process more transparent)," he said.

"Well like other bills meron talagang pagkakaiba even ordinary bills pag pumasok sa bicam magkakaiba kaya humingi ng oras both houses para mapag aralan ang differences at mabacktrack (Well, like other bills, there are always differences—even ordinary bills—when they enter bicam, so both houses requested time to study the differences and review them)," he added.

With the ratification set on Dec. 22, Gatchalian says there is still a buffer to extend hearings by a day if needed.

He says staff are working triple time, and everyone involved is prepared to make sacrifices to ensure that the budget is approved on time, especially as several innovations led to the delays.

The bicam meetings will begin at 2 p.m. at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.