House supports 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 comes after Senator Erwin Tulfo claimed some House members opposed the unprecedented public viewing of these budget meetings.

Suansing reiterated the House's firm commitment to opening the bicameral proceedings, with leadership making prior pronouncements supporting livestreaming.

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.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had previously urged Congress to allow livestreaming for transparency.