The proposal to open the bicameral conference on the national budget to the public, or to have an “open bicam,” has garnered support from more lawmakers in the House of Representatives.
Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre announced he will be submitting a resolution promoting the open bicam, which would open the bicameral proceedings to media coverage and the public eye as it forms the national budget for 2026 and other policies, reported RH 12 Milky Rigonan.
He called the proposal, put forward by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a “game changer” as an act of transparency and accountability, as well as an opportunity to foster understanding and participation in the lawmaking process among Filipinos.
“Buo ang suporta natin sa panawagang gawing mas transparent, mas accountable at bukas ang proseso ng bicameral conference committee, dahil ito din ay pamamaraan para mas maintindihan ng ating kababayan ‘yung kabuuan ng proseso ng pagpapanday ng mga batas at polisiya po natin,” Acidre said during a press conference on Wednesday, July 2.
“And I think this signals a game changer in the way our governance, especially in terms of legislation, is being conducted. And hopefully, ako, ang hinihiling ko lang sa ating kababayan, ito po’y maging pamamaraan para maging mas participatory ang proseso ng legislation sa ating bansa,” he said.
Acidre added that not only members of Congress, government officials, and other public servants, but also ordinary Filipinos, should be informed of the affairs of the country.
“Hindi lang ‘yung mga kongresistang nahalal, hindi lang po ‘yung mga halal na opisyal at ang mga lingkod-bayan, kundi ang ordinaryong Pilipino, dapat may kinalaman at pakialam sa layunin at direksyon ng ating bansa,” the congressman declared.
Earlier, Romualdez said that allowing the public access to the bicam deliberations on the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2026 would compel fiscal discipline, discourage last-minute insertions, and win the public’s trust in legislative processes. The bicam hearings must be livestreamed and the media given direct access, he instructed.
