Imee Marcos to ask Escudero, Poe for more transparent bicam on 2025 budget

Senator Imee Marcos will write Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Senate finance committee chairperson Grace Poe to ask for a more "transparent" bicameral conference committee (bicam) deliberations on the proposed P6.352-trillion budget for 2025 to avoid "insertions" from lawmakers.

At the Kapihan sa Senado forum Thursday, Marcos reiterated her dismay over the P12 billion alleged insertions in the 2024 budget of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), as well as the P26 billion funds for Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program or AKAP under the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which she said, was only included during the bicam.

The senator said she took these issues on the alleged insertions personally because she sponsored and defended the 2024 budgets of both the Comelec and the DSWD.

"Nagda-draft nga ako ng love letter ngayon tungkol sa proseso ng bicam. Kasi masyado kong pinersonal 'yung mga pinuslit d'yan sa bicam. Kung bakit naman yung subcommittee talaga na hawak ko...eh talagang nasingitan ng kung ano-ano nung 2024. Parang feeling ko talagang pinersonal eh," Marcos said.

(I'm drafting a love letter about the bicam process today. I'm taking personally the things that happened during the last bicam because of the budget insertions on the agencies that my subcommittee handled.)

"Ayoko na maulit. Sinasabi ko nga kung maaari 'yung proseso ng bicam baguhin natin. Medyo gandahan naman natin nang kaunti. Transparency and accountability naman nang kaunti...Wala tayong gulatan. Mas maaga dapat nag-uusap na tayo kung talagang kailangan." she added.

(I don't want a repeat of what happened in 2024. I'm saying that if possible, we should change the bicam process. Make it more transparent and accountable...There should be no surprise budget items. We could discuss these budget items as early as possible if it's really necessary.)

In the previous bicam meetings on the proposed General Appropriations Act, Marcos said there were no discussions between the lawmakers from the House of Representatives and the Senate with regard to the changes in the proposed budget for the next fiscal year.

The bicam meetings before, she said, had become a venue for "picture taking."

"'Yung finile na bicam [report], 'wag naman picture taking lamang. Sana naman may konting diskusyon at least 'yung major changes. Debatihin naman natin sa maayos na bicam," she said.

(I hope that the bicam is not only for picture taking. I hope that there would be discussions at least on the major changes in the budget.)

"'Wag naman 'yung biglang nagkakasisihan, nagkakaturuan, bakit nasingit 'yan tapos kukunin 'yung e-signature mo tapos sasabihin 'ah alam mo 'yan,'" she quipped.

(There should be no surprises, blaming other or pointing fingers regarding insertions. They would get your e-signature and tell you that you know what transpired.)

Among the changes in the bicam meetings that Marcos is seeking are the early discussions between the Senate and House of Representatives contingents with regard to the changes that will be made in the national budget and the proper coordination of the Senate Legislative Budget Research and Management Office and the Senate finance committee with senators.

On the idea of opening the bicam meetings to the public, Marcos said she will not oppose it because the budget deliberations at the committee and plenary level are already livestreamed.

"Para sa akin, bakit hindi? Tutal 'yung mga subcommittee hearings naka-livestream gayundin 'yung  plenaryo. Ano ba naman tuloy tuloy na hanggang sa bicam?  Sa akin walang problema. Okay lang 'yun pero alam ko maraming nag-oobject," she said.

(Why not? We have been streaming the subcommittee hearings and the plenary deliberations on the budget live. Why not open the bicam as well to the public? I have no problem with it, but I know that many of our colleagues oppose that idea.)

"Ang akin lang, 'yung mga major, 'yung mga bilyon bilyon d'yan na tumataginting na bigla tayong masa-shock na nasingit, 'yun ay dapat madebate nang maayos...Lets try to be expeditious, but at the same time, it's important to be transparent," she ended.

(My only concern is that the billions of funds for the projects should be debated properly. Let's try to be expeditious, but at the same time, it's important to be transparent.)

Sought for comment, Escudero said he will wait for Marcos' letter and relay to Poe.

"I shall await her letter re her suggestions, relay it to Sen Poe, who is the chair of the Finance Committee, so she can discuss it with her members and House counterparts at the proper time," he said

Poe said she will also "wait for her letter and reply accordingly."

The Senate is expected to tackle the proposed 2025 national budget when they resume sessions on November 4.

Once the Senate approves on third and final reading the General Appropriations Bill, the bicam will be convened to reconcile the disagreeing provisions on the House and Senate's version.

After the bicam finishes its deliberations, the final version of the budget bill will be ratified by both chambers and will be sent to the President for either his approval or veto.—AOL, GMA Integrated News