MANILA, Philippines — The Bicameral Conference Committee convened on Saturday to reconcile disagreeing provisions of the proposed ₱6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, with leaders from the Senate and House of Representatives pledging transparency, constitutional fidelity, and public accountability amid heightened scrutiny over government spending. The bicameral meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) marks the start of final congressional deliberations on House Bill (HB) 4058, or the proposed General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2026, which will fund government operations from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026. This year’s bicameral deliberations unfold amid public outrage over alleged corruption in flood control projects, which has shaken trust in government institutions and intensified calls for greater transparency in the allocation of public funds. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who leads the Senate delegation as chairman of the finance committee, acknowledged the impact of the controversy, saying the budget process must now play a role in restoring the public’s confidence in government. “Public trust in our government institutions has been shaken, and so we must do everything we can to repair our social contract with the people we have sworn to serve,” he said. First livestreamed bicam proceedings In response to growing demands for openness, the 2026 budget bicameral deliberations are being livestreamed for the first time in Philippine history, allowing the public to observe discussions traditionally held behind closed doors. Gatchalian said the move complemented the Senate’s transparency initiatives, including the establishment of a centralized Senate Budget Transparency Portal, pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution 4, where budget-related documents are made publicly accessible in digital form. With Gatchalian are Senators Mark Villar, Pia Cayetano, JV Ejercito, Loren Legarda, Francis Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, Camille Villar, Bong Go and Imee Marcos as committee members. Rep. Mikaela Suansing leads the House delegation as appropriations committee chairman, with Deputy Speaker Kristine Meehan, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, and Representatives Jose Alvarez, Javi Benitez, Albert Garcia, Rufus Rodriguez, Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Allan Ty, Brian Raymund Yamsuan, and Maria Carmen Zamora as members. In her opening remarks in FIlipino, Suansing said that the budget livestream marked a "historic day" and part of a series of structural reforms that put transparency, accountability, and public participation at the center of the budget process. Three lawmakers who are committee members are not expected to appear: Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, who has been in hiding after a warrant of arrest was reportedly issued by the International Criminal Court, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who resigned from the committee. Rep. Romeo Momo, who is facing plunder charges at the Office of the Ombudsman.