Manila 6th District Representative Benny Abante advocated for making the bicameral conference committee deliberations for the proposed ₱7.2-trillion 2027 national budget accessible to the public via live streaming to enhance transparency and allow taxpayers to track allocation decisions.
Speaking at a news forum on Saturday, August 15, Abante voiced support for an open bicameral conference, emphasizing that representatives from various sectors should observe the proceedings directly.
“Palagay ko dapat maging transparent tayo sa bicam. Dapat talagang makita,” he said.
“Ako, naniniwala ako na sa bicam, kinakailangan imbitahin lahat ‘yung mga religious, educators, civil societies, lahat yan imbitahan para makita nila na wala tayong anumang tinatago sa taong bayan,” he added.
The proposed 2027 spending plan is six percent higher than the ₱6.793-trillion budget for 2026 and features ₱111.9 billion in unprogrammed appropriations tied to specific funding conditions, with the Department of Education receiving the largest allocation at ₱976 billion.
Abante stressed that all spending components, including unprogrammed funds and automatic appropriations, must remain fully transparent.
“(K)inakailangan malaman ng taong-bayan kung saan nagmumula ‘yan, kung saan nanggagaling ‘yan, kung anong klaseng project ‘yan, kung paano i-implement ‘yan, at kung magkano na budget ang ibinigay diyan, at kung sino ang mag-i-implement,” he said.
House deliberations on the proposed budget begin Monday, aiming to pass the 2027 General Appropriations Bill by October 9.
Abante assured that the ongoing Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will not affect the schedule.
“Nakita naman natin na four hours lang ang impeachment court. Sa umaga nagsisimula, 3 p.m. deliberation na ‘yan, so, I don’t think na maaapektuhan din ‘yan,” he said.
Acting Budget Secretary Kim de Leon aligned with Abante’s view on Friday, stating that opening bicameral proceedings builds a more transparent, accountable, and participatory budget process.