Senators push for public access to budget talks

The Senate on Monday reiterated its commitment to transparency in the national budget process, welcoming calls for greater public access to bicameral conference committee deliberations.

Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. emphasized that inviting media to cover budget negotiations between the chambers has long been institutionalized in the Senate and expressed openness to serious proposals enhancing public understanding of the budget crafting process.

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday filed a bill seeking to institutionalize civil society organizations' participation in the preparation of the national budget, following Bantug's statement.

The proposed measure aims to give full play to the people's right to participate in social, political, and economic decision-making at all levels without undermining elected representatives' capacities.

Incoming Senator Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson and Senator Imee Marcos expressed support for making bicam deliberations open to the public or at least to accredited NGOs and CSOs.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program will be submitted to Congress two weeks after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address on July 28, 2025.