The Senate approved the proposed ₱6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 on third and final reading on Tuesday, December 9, with all 17 senators present voting in favor.
The passage sets the stage for what is expected to be the first-ever livestreamed bicameral conference committee meetings to reconcile the Senate and House versions.
Voting in favor were Senators Bam Aquino, Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Win Gatchalian, Bong Go, Risa Hontiveros, Ping Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Rodante Marcoleta, Robin Padilla, Kiko Pangilinan, Tito Sotto, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, Joel Villanueva, and Migz Zubiri.
Ahead of the vote, Senator Erwin Tulfo disclosed that some lawmakers in the House opposed livestreaming the bicam.
“Ang problema, may mga kumukontra. Hindi dito sa amin, sa kabila, sa House, ayaw nila… mukhang nagkaroon sila ng diskusyonan,” he said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson also noted “some resistance” from the House, pointing out that a counterpart resolution is needed.
“Kailangan both houses magpass noon para maging binding,” he said.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, however, maintained that House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III did not raise objections during a meeting with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“At hindi naman kami papayag dahil yun ang usapan namin nina presidente… Si President Marcos mismo ang nagsabi na dapat ila-livestream,” he said, adding: “Hindi ako papayag na hindi naka-livestream.”
House Appropriations Chair Mika Suansing later clarified in a video statement that the House supports transparency, saying, “The House has always been very firm on our commitment to opening the bicameral conference committee proceedings, more specifically livestreaming the bicam.”