House all-in to livestream bicameral conference of 2026 budget

The House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Faustino Dy III, has always been firm in its commitment to livestream the bicameral conference committee deliberations on the proposed 2026 national budget, a transparency measure backed by no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

House Committee on Appropriations chairperson and Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing issued the clarification after reports surfaced that there were House lawmakers, who opposed the planned livestreaming.

Suansing said the public deserves a clear and accurate understanding of where the House stands in the ongoing budget process.

“The House has always been very firm in our commitment to opening the bicameral conference committee proceedings, more specifically livestreaming the bicam,” Suansing said.

She noted that the initiative to open the bicam started well before the budget hearings.

“As early as August, even before the budget deliberations, the House leadership has already made pronouncements with regard to opening and livestreaming the bicam,” she pointed out.

Suansing said she has been coordinating with her Senate counterpart, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, on how to operationalize the livestreaming of the bicameral deliberations.

“Simula’t sapul ay matibay na ang paninindigan ng House of Representatives patungkol sa pag-livestream ng bicam (From the start, the House of Representatives has been firm in its stance regarding the livestreaming of the bicam),” she added.

It will be recalled that during her Oct. 20 press conference, Suansing reaffirmed the House commitment to livestreaming — a position already communicated in August during her first briefing as Appropriations chairperson.

She also welcomed President Marcos’ announcement made at the time confirming that the budget bicameral proceedings would indeed be livestreamed. She said cooperation between the House and the Senate is essential as both chambers move to finalize the national budget.

This year will be the first time a national budget bicameral hearings will be livestreamed.