Bicam's budget rush raises transparency risks

BUDGET WATCHDOGS warned that Congress' rushed timetable to finalize the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 increases the risk of unchecked amendments and last-minute insertions, potentially undermining transparency.

- By Adrian H. Halili Reporter and Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

Adolfo Jose A. Montesa, an adviser for the People’s Budget Coalition, said Congress’ tight schedule for bicameral conference committee meetings leaves little room for substantive debate, amid a backdrop of heightened concern over corruption in the budget process.

“The temptation there is to just prioritize political accommodations once again, rather than truly development and people-oriented budget amendments,” he said in a Viber message.

The House of Representatives and the Senate on Saturday convened the bicameral conference committee deliberations on the proposed 2026 national budget.

For the first time, lawmakers agreed to livestream the proceedings amid calls for transparency following the corruption scandal involving flood control projects.

“It is important that they will not sacrifice integrity and accountability as they pass the budget,” Joy G. Aceron, convenordirector of governance watchdog G-Watch, said in a Viber message.

"The schedule is tight, but we can't have a reenacted budget," she added.

Malacañang earlier called on Congress to hasten the passage of the proposed 2026 national budget, noting that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. does not want a reenacted budget.