Senate Finance Committee Chair Sherwin Gatchalian – Photo from Senator Win Gatchalian/Facebook
After days of delays, lawmakers from the House of Representatives and the Senate concluded the bicameral conference committee meeting on the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 early Thursday.
The final bicam session ended at 2:22 a.m. following more than nine hours of deliberations, according to members of the panel.
Senate Finance Committee Chair Sherwin Gatchalian said the panel was able to reconcile provisions where the two chambers previously disagreed.
“Finally we have reconciled the disagreeing provisions and finally, we have a budget that we can be proud of and responsive to the Filipino people,” Gatchalian said.
He added that the reconciled budget is intended to address the needs of the public.
“Higit sa lahat, itong budget na ito ay corruption-free at higit sa lahat wala ng overpriced, at higit sa lahat ito po ang budget na masasabi kong standard transparency,” the senator said.
On the final day of discussions, lawmakers focused on contentious items including the Department of Public Works and Highways budget, unprogrammed appropriations, and special-purpose funds.
With the bicam report completed, the proposed spending measure will be returned to both chambers for ratification.
Once ratified, the bill will be transmitted to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for his signature.
Gatchalian earlier cautioned that holiday travel by some lawmakers could affect quorum during ratification, noting that the budget may still be sent to the President by Dec. 29, 2025.
