While bicameral deliberations on the national budget have traditionally been held behind closed doors to reconcile the differing versions of the two Houses of Congress, I am not opposed to any initiative that promotes transparency and strengthens public trust in our institutions.
In fact, I introduced Senate Bill No. 2251 in May 2023—a measure that seeks to institutionalize the publication of a simplified version of the “People’s Budget,” making it more accessible and understandable to the public.
The General Appropriations Act (GAA) is one of the most important pieces of legislation. It demands a whole-of-nation approach and requires the active engagement of the Filipino people, who are ultimately its end beneficiaries. It is only right that they are given the opportunity to understand, participate in, and monitor how public funds are allocated and spent.
Any proposal to open the bicameral deliberations to the public must ensure that the integrity of the process is preserved and that the focus remains on arriving at a unified budget that truly reflects the priorities and needs of our kababayans.
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