The third day of the bicameral conference committee was suspended on Monday, 15 December 2025, due to a deadlock over the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In a press conference, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian announced the suspension of the bicameral meeting, citing the need for further clarifications on DPWH matters discussed on Sunday, 14 December 2025.

“Ngayon lang [suspended]. Pag-uusapan namin with the DPWH about it,” Gatchalian told reporters.

(“It is suspended for now. We will discuss this first with the DPWH.”)

He said the decision was reached following a caucus among senators to address the issue with the House of Representatives and the DPWH.

“And Senado very firm, ayaw namin ng overpriced items. We can call it deadlock. Pero naghahanap tayo ng solution. Sabi ko nga nakikipagtrabaho ako with the DPWH kasi gusto natin umusad,” he added.

(“The Senate is very firm; we do not want overpriced items. We can call it a deadlock, but we are looking for a solution. As I said, we are working with the DPWH because we want to move forward.”)

Gatchalian said the bicameral meeting is expected to resume on Tuesday, 16 December 2025.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, who attended the second day of the bicameral conference committee on Sunday, requested the Senate to restore amounts deducted from proposed 2026 projects following reductions based on Construction Materials Price Data.

According to Dizon, the request aims to avoid inaccurate costing and potential project non-implementation, which could lead to underspending and possible legal and administrative issues.

The DPWH’s proposed budget amounted to P624.48 billion under the House of Representatives’ version but was reduced to P570.48 billion in the Senate’s version.