Lawmakers from the Akbayan Reform Bloc and Women LP Legislators have filed a joint resolution seeking to open all bicameral conference committee deliberations to the public, aiming to institutionalize transparency and curb corruption in the legislative process.
The move builds on a proposal made by Speaker Martin Romualdez a month earlier, on June 27, advocating for open bicam proceedings for the 2026 national budget. That call came in response to growing concerns over public funds being misused through opaque insertions during closed-door budget reconciliations.
House Joint Resolution No. 2—titled “Upholding Fidelity to the 1987 Constitution Relative to the Duties and Responsibilities of the Bicameral Conference Committee with a View to Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in the Enactment of Laws”—was filed by Akbayan Representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendana, Dadah Ismula, Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, and Liberal Party allies Reps. Cielo Krisel Lagman and Leila de Lima.
“Hindi sapat ang review sa flood control,” said Rep. Diokno. “Let’s institutionalize corruption control through a transparent bicam process kung saan kasama ang taumbayan.”
The resolution echoes President Marcos’ call in his recent SONA to root out corruption and align all budget proposals strictly with the National Expenditure Program. “Kailangan may managot,” Marcos said. “I will return any General Appropriations Bill not fully aligned.”
“This resolution directly supports the President’s call for accountability,” Rep. Lagman said. “Panahon na upang ito’y ipatupad para na rin sa tamang paggamit ng pondo ng taumbayan.”
If adopted, the resolution mandates public access to all bicameral meetings—either in-person or via livestream—and the immediate release of detailed minutes. A matrix comparing Senate and House versions of bills, along with how conflicts were resolved, must also be published.
A 10-member implementation committee, co-chaired by the Senate and House Rules Chairs, will draft the IRR within 30 days. The group will consult with civil society transparency advocates throughout the process.
A counterpart resolution has also been filed in the Senate by Senators Risa Hontiveros, Tito Sotto, Loren Legarda, Panfilo Lacson, Miguel Zubiri, Kiko Pangilinan, and Bam Aquino.
