No secret bicameral conference (bicam) meetings have taken place following the rescheduling of the 2026 budget deliberations, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian, head of the Senate finance panel, said the bicam meeting will begin as scheduled on Saturday, Dec. 13.
He emphasized that the discussions will remain open to the public.
“There is no secret bicam. The discussions will take place in the bicam,” he told reporters in a virtual press conference on Friday.
Gatchalian said the Senate is preparing thoroughly due to the volume of budget documents.
The bicam meeting was originally scheduled from Dec. 12 to Dec. 14 but was rescheduled at the request of technical staff from both chambers.
The staff asked for extra time to reconcile conflicting provisions and organize budget details.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said transparency will be ensured so both chambers can review each other’s budget versions.
When asked about potential insertions, Gatchalian said he hoped none would occur but noted members may propose changes.
He added that the proposed P6.7-trillion national budget for 2026 is expected to be submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for signing by Dec. 29.
