Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada questioned the sudden appearance of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon at the bicameral conference committee meeting tackling the 2026 national budget, saying it is “unprecedented."

“For me that was an unprecedented move by the contingent of the House and of the contingent of the Senate to invite a Cabinet official in the bicameral conference committee,” Estrada told reporters in an interview.

“Because never in the history—I’ve attended a lot of bicameral conference committee hearings regarding the budget—wala naman kaming inimbitang (we’ve never invited a) Cabinet official,” the senator said.

Estrada was originally assigned to be part of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee that will thresh out the disagreeing provisions of the House of Representatives and the Senate’s version of the national budget, but later on withdrew.

During the second day of the bicameral conference committee, Dizon attended the hearing to appeal to lawmakers to restore about P45-billion worth of funds that were slashed from the DPWH’s budget for next year, making senators skeptical of his sudden request.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate finance panel, defended the Upper Chamber’s decision saying their decision was borne out of the agency’s suggestion itself which is also based on the data and inputs they submitted to them.

Estrada pointed out Dizon should have discussed the matter since during the plenary debates of the budget when heads of departments and government agencies were also present to defend their respective budget.

“And secondly, they should have discussed it in the plenary debates of the budget, kahit sa committee hearing dapat dun na sila nagtatatanong (they should have asked then). Hindi sa bicam (Not during the bicam),” Estrada said.

Asked if he would accede to the DPWH’s request, the senator said he is leaving it up to the members of the bicameral panel.

“Well, it’s up to the members of the bicam. Because, I withdrew from it,” he said.

“That’s what I just noted, this is an unprecedented move,” he stressed.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III meanwhile, defended the decision of the bicameral committee to invite Dizon and allow him to provide an explanation.

“Why not? I see no problem with that,” Sotto told reporters in an interview.

“Remember, I said that even the public can attend. So why not allow a Cabinet secretary to attend?” the Senate leader said.