The traditional pork barrel hive, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), was not on the Bicameral Conference Committee’s (Bicam) list on the first day of budget deliberations, and Senator Imee Marcos wanted to know why.

The DPWH budget was missing from the list of appropriations to be reconciled during the Bicam meeting on Saturday, 13 December.

“If we are truly after transparency, why did you not put the source of the people’s distrust in us?” Marcos asked.

“The issue should start with Public Works. But there is nothing on any paper, in the nine-page summary, or in the reconciliation paper that we were given just yesterday. Why doesn’t the DPWH have a budget?” she added.

For his part, Senate Finance Committee chairperson Win Gatchalian said the DPWH budget will be taken up on the following day, 14 December.

“Other items will be discussed tomorrow, such as special purpose funds and unprogrammed appropriations. Tomorrow, we will also discuss the DPWH,” Gatchalian said.

Marcos sought an advance copy to give lawmakers sufficient time for review, and Gatchalian committed to providing it.

Bato a no-show

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa failed to attend the Bicam meeting.

Dela Rosa has been absent from the Senate since 10 November amid the unverified rumor of an arrest warrant waiting for him issued by the International Criminal Court.

When asked about his absence, Gatchalian said the former Philippine National Police chief did not give any explanation. Dela Rosa is part of the 11-member Senate contingent to the Bicam.

As vice chair of the Senate Finance Committee, he was automatically included on the panel following Senate tradition.

Also absent from the Bicam were Senators JV Ejercito, Pia Cayetano and Camille Villar.