House backs livestreaming of budget deliberations

House Representative Mikaela Suansing affirmed the House of Representatives' full support for livestreaming the bicameral conference committee deliberations on the proposed P6.793 trillion national budget for 2026.

This affirmation follows Senator Erwin Tulfo's claim that some House members opposed the public viewing of these budget meetings.

House majority lawmakers, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Manila Rep. Ernesto Dionisio Jr., denied these allegations, stating that the leadership, including Speaker Faustino Dy III, is consistent in their support for livestreaming.

They emphasized that all House members are in unison about making the budget process more transparent, especially in light of the ongoing flood control scandal.

The bicameral conference committee, where members reconcile differing provisions of budget versions, has historically been closed to the public.

The push for livestreaming aims to dispel suspicions of illegal or ill-intentioned insertions in the government's spending plan, a sentiment echoed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who had previously urged Congress for transparency.