BBM gets rare House critics' backing

At least six members of the newly formed House minority bloc on Tuesday filed a joint resolution seeking to publicly open the deliberations of the bicameral conference committee in all measures passed by Congress, particularly the annual budget, as a pledge of commitment to President Marcos Jr.’s anti-corruption campaign.

The filing comes after Marcos, during his fourth State of the Nation Address last Monday, strongly rebuked corruption in flood control projects, P16.7 billion of which was vetoed by him in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.

The resolution aims to promote transparency by having the public privy to the bicameral conference committee meetings—traditionally conducted behind closed doors—especially in the crucial budget process to avoid the recurrence of alleged illegal budget insertions in the highly criticized 2025 budget. 

Under the resolution, all bicam meetings will be open to the public, conducted in person or through digital livestreaming. The panel, composed of selected senators and members of the House of Representatives, shall be mandated to produce a matrix detailing the discrepancies between the two versions of Senate and House bills and how they are resolved. This matrix shall also be available to the public. 

Additionally, a comprehensive minutes of the meetings shall be immediately produced for the public’s scrutiny.

If adopted, a committee co-chaired by the heads of Senate and House Committees on Rules, with five members each from both panels, must be formed to ensure its strict implementation of the open bicam.

“This committee will work together to draft and issue the implementing rules and regulations of this Resolution, in consultation with civil society organizations and individual advocates for transparency and good governance known for their integrity, independence, and expertise,” the resolution read.

The House resolution is the counterpart of the similar measure filed by Senators Risa Hontiveros, Tito Sotto, Loren Legarda, Panfilo Lacson, and Miguel Zubiri, who formed the minority bloc in the Senate. Former opposition Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino also signed the resolution despite being members of the new majority.

The House resolution, meanwhile, was authored by Akbayan Reps. Chel Diokno, Perci Cendana, Dadah Ismula, Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene Bag-ao, and Albay Rep. Cielo Krisel Lagman.

“A review of flood control is not enough. Let’s institutionalize corruption control measures through a transparent bicam process that includes the people,” Diokno said. "We hope that this joint resolution will be approved, as this will help address the corruption that deprives the Filipino people of decent shelter during floods,” Lagman added.

In his SONA, Marcos issued a stern warning to members of Congress that he would return the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), should it contain provisions that are not fully aligned with the administration’s proposed budget, under the National Expenditure Program, regardless of whether it results in a reenacted budget.

A reenacted budget would mean that the previous year's GAA would remain in effect until both houses of Congress pass the current GAB. This could result in an economic slowdown and may hamper the delivery of government services as new programs and projects will be unfunded. 

Marcos’ warning was triggered by the recent widespread severe flooding brought about by three consecutive typhoons and southwest monsoons, despite him boasting during last year’s SONA that 5,500 flood control projects had been completed and there are more under construction.

The 2025 GAA, originally set at P6.352 trillion, was trimmed down to P6.326 trillion after Marcos Jr. vetoed P194 billion worth of line items deemed inconsistent with his administration's priority programs, P16.7 billion of which was for the flood control projects.

These “budget insertions” were heavily blamed on the bicam. Bicam is tasked with reconciling the conflicting provisions of the House and the Senate’s versions of the bill. Amending the panel's report after being ratified defeated the reason for Congress holding a bicam conference.

This year’s budget was widely criticized for allegedly featuring padded unprogrammed and discretionary funds while subsidies for key sectors like education and healthcare suffered deep cuts. Watchdogs, anti-corruption advocates, and even business groups have long petitioned Congress to make the bicam accessible to the public, arguing that the lack of transparency in the pivotal proceedings opens the floodgates for manipulation and illegal insertions.

Speaker Martin Romualdez pledged support for the mounting calls for an open bicam, and vowed to rally support from fellow legislators in the House in order to institutionalize it.