Malacañang expressed support for moves in Congress to institutionalize transparency in the budget process, as the 20th Congress opens and prepares to begin budget deliberations.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro welcomed the initiative led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other lawmakers to open bicameral budget deliberations to the public.
“We respect the independence of Congress,” Castro said in a briefing on Tuesday.
“But when it comes to making government transactions public, it is always better to ensure that every move is transparent to the people,” she said.
The call for open bicameral proceedings comes as lawmakers prepare to deliberate on the national budget for the next fiscal year, a process often criticized in the past for lacking transparency and public participation.
Romualdez earlier voiced support for proposals to allow public access and media coverage during the bicameral conference meetings, where final versions of the national budget are hashed out between the Senate and House of Representatives.
The Palace’s statement aligns with the administration’s broader push for good governance and fiscal transparency, which it has repeatedly underscored as a cornerstone of public trust and accountability.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Palace backs push for transparent budget process”
