House Speaker Advocates for Transparent Budget Talks
MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has voiced strong support for opening the bicameral conference committee (bicam) budget talks to the public. He believes this move will enhance transparency and serve as a vital step toward restoring trust in the government’s budget process.
Romualdez emphasized that the opening bicam budget talks to the public aligns with broader reforms planned for the upcoming 20th Congress sessions starting this July. “Transparency and accountability must be the foundation of how we handle the national budget,” he said in a recent statement.
Ensuring Public Access and Trust in Budget Deliberations
The House Speaker explained that making bicam discussions accessible to citizens will help ensure the budget genuinely reflects the people’s needs. “I support the move to make bicameral conference committee discussions open to the public. This is a crucial step in restoring public trust and ensuring that the national budget truly reflects the will and welfare of the people,” Romualdez stated.
The bicameral conference committee is the final phase where the House and Senate versions of the national budget are reconciled. Traditionally, these meetings have been closed-door sessions, which some lawmakers now want to change for the sake of transparency.
Live Streaming and Real-Time Public Engagement
The “open bicam campaign” advocates for the full disclosure of these deliberations, including live streaming the proceedings. Lawmakers supporting this push believe live broadcasts will allow Filipinos and stakeholders to witness the discussions firsthand, fostering greater public scrutiny and involvement.
Such transparency efforts aim to build greater confidence in how public funds are allocated and spent. Local leaders noted that opening bicam budget talks to the public would mark a significant shift in Philippine budget governance.
For more news and updates on government budget reforms, visit Filipinokami.com.