Senate set to wrap up budget hearings this week

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate will devote this week to wrapping up all budget hearings before organizing the public bicameral conference committee that will reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2026 national budget, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said yesterday. 

In an interview over dwIZ, Gatchalian said the bicameral panel or bicam is expected to convene next week to discuss the “ground rules” between the two chambers, including the scope and length of deliberations.

He said the panel may need several days to finish discussions.

Gatchalian said apart from the livestreamed bicam, one of the new measures being implemented this year is a public hearing for civil society organizations, to be held on Oct. 27, before the Senate’s technical working group (TWG) meets to review proposed amendments.

He said the initiative aims to strengthen transparency and allow more participation in the budget process, with attendees – who also include budget experts – being allowed to suggest amendments to the budget.

Asked about the process of introducing amendments among lawmakers, he said senators may either submit their proposals ahead of the period of amendments or raise them on the floor once deliberations resume.

He added that the finance committee will organize a TWG by the following week to identify possible sources of funds or adjustments to accommodate proposed changes.

Gatchalian also responded to doubts about the planned livestreaming of the bicam proceedings, a transparency measure earlier announced by President Marcos.

“It will be hard because even if I say that everything is in the livestream and nothing was discussed off-air, people would not believe that. Which is why I always say to check the uploaded documents because that is where they will track the differences between the House version and the Senate version and if these agreed in the bicam,” he said.