Tovic Salvador

Article (news)

Allison Co

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – After four days of intensive deliberations by the Upper and Lower House, the first ever open-door bicameral conference committee meeting for the 2026 national budget was formally concluded at around 2:19 a.m. of Thursday, December 18.Senate Finance Committee Chair Sherwin Gatchalian and House Committee on Appropriations Chair Mika Suansing said the decision to livestream the bicam meeting underscored their commitment to transparency, amid unexpected delays beyond the initial three-day schedule.“Napakahirap dahil ang elbow room mo to make mistakes napakaliit. Marami na ang nagpaparticipate sa discussion so medyo tumatagal din (ang meeting). It’s very difficult but first time ito in history so I’m sure mag-aadjust kami in the next few years, making sure that it’s smoother at mas maayos na yung preparations,” Gatchalian said.“In hindsight, it was all worth it.” Suansing added. “Isa lang naman po ang gusto namin gawin dito, talagang siguraduhin na itong budget na ito mapagkakatiwalaan ng ating mga kababayan.”However because of the delays, there will be changes in the legislative calendar. The new deadline set for the ratification of the new budget is on December 29. The President aims to sign the final 2026 budget before December 31.“Kasi yung pagbabalanse, pagprint, pag-reconcile… kasi we have to reconcile our numbers with (that of the House) so ‘yung process will take around five days,” Gatchalian explained.The two chambers expressed confidence that there will be no reenacted budget. They are also confident that the President will not veto any items in the proposed 2026 national budget.“Throughout the whole process, very very close coordination between us and the Executive so wala po kaming cinucut, wala po kaming hindi pinapaalam sa mga ahensya. So yes…we are confident that the President will not veto the budget,” Suansing added.Among the last agencies whose budget was approved on the fourth day of the bicameral meeting include DENR, DOT, DOTr, and the controversial DPWH with an approved allocation of P529.6 billion.

After four days of intensive deliberations by the Upper and Lower House, the first ever open-door bicameral conference committee meeting for the 2026 national budget was formally concluded at around 2:19 a.m. of Thursday, December 18.

After four days of intensive deliberations by the Upper and Lower House, the first ever open-door bicameral conference committee meeting for the 2026 national budget was formally concluded at around 2:19 a.m. of Thursday, December 18.

Historic open budget bicam concluded, what comes next?

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Historic open budget bicam concluded, what comes next?

Allison Co,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 18, 2025 07:36 AM PHT

Read More:

national budget

2026 Bicam

Senate

Congress

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