The Senate minority bloc on Tuesday revealed that they filed a joint resolution calling for full transparency and accountability in the proceedings of the bicameral conference committee, particularly during the passage of national budget laws.
“The bicameral conference committee deliberations on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill, which was eventually signed into law as Republic Act No. 12116, were attended by budget irregularities and distortions,” the resolution read.
“The most serious irregularity was the violation of the constitutionally mandated provision that education shall have the highest budgetary priority,” it continued.
The resolution aims to ensure that the legislative process adheres strictly to the 1987 Constitution, which upholds the public’s right to information and mandates honesty and integrity in public service.
It proposes that all bicameral committee meetings be made open to the public, either in person or through digital livestreaming.
The resolution also requires the committee to produce a detailed matrix showing how differences between the House and Senate versions of bills are addressed.
This matrix, the senators said, must be made available to the public as part of legislative transparency.
Additionally, the resolution mandates the prompt release of comprehensive minutes from the bicameral meetings for public access.
According to the senators, the distortion of budget priorities through political insertions undermines national development and deprives vulnerable sectors of essential services.
“Transparency and accountability must be the cornerstones of legislation,” they said.
The resolution added that corruption in legislation contributes to the failure to deliver on food security, affordable housing, adequate health care, quality education, and climate resilience.
The minority bloc consists of Senators Vicente Sotto III, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Juan Miguel Zubiri. Senators Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan also signed the resolution despite siding with the majority.
