Rep. Chel Diokno has once again called for the bicameral conference committee or bicam to be made open and transparent in discussing the 2026 national budget. According to him, the usual closed process should be ended because it allows for secret insertions that lead to corruption.
Diokno explained that currently, there is no record of the changes that occur when the bicam is closed. Therefore, it is not known where the additional funds come from. That is why he filed a resolution to make all bicam proceedings open to ensure no hidden insertions.
It was also mentioned that several politicians were involved in the issue of kickbacks from infrastructure projects, particularly flood control. Up to ₱200 billion was allocated in unprogrammed funds, which has been questioned due to possible misuse.
Furthermore, some budget watchdogs have also criticized the lack of genuine citizen participation in the deliberations. According to them, suggestions from civil society groups are only “received and noted” but not really listened to.
Diokno and several groups have said it is time for the national budget process to be open, clear, and fair. They said the people deserve true transparency to ensure that the people's taxes are spent properly.
