Actor Edu Manzano has thrown his support behind calls for the strict monitoring of the bicameral conference committee on the 2026 proposed national budget through livestreaming.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Manzano said heightened vigilance is necessary to protect the budget from corruption and questionable projects.
“LIVESTREAM ANG BICAM…,” Manzano posted.
Manzano has been viral with his AI memes and posts mocking the flood control scandal.
The Senate leadership, led by Senate President Tito Sotto and Finance Committee chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian, announced that the bicameral conference committee will be livestreamed for transparency and to allow the public to monitor where their money goes.
The bicameral conference committee, or simply bicam, is a small group of senators and representatives tasked with reconciling differences between the Senate and House versions of a bill.
While its intention is noble, the word bicam has become synonymous with hidden agendas and illegal or questionable insertions, especially when the anomalous flood control projects were exposed.
Investigations revealed that most of these projects had been quietly inserted during this closed-door process for the national budget.
Because the process is conducted behind closed doors, transparency and public scrutiny are limited, reducing opportunities for accountability.
That will change this year, as the Senate will livestream the bicam for the proposed 2026 national budget, giving citizens, media, and civil society organizations a unique opportunity to monitor the proceedings and see firsthand how their hard-earned money is allocated and utilized.
Vigilance is crucial, as the budget can still undergo drastic changes, with funds potentially moving quietly from education to roads, classroom construction to flood control, and health programs to lump sums.
“Ilang tulog na lang pasko na, ang christmas wish ko, huwag bawasan yung education budget ni Senator Bam! #EdukasyonHindiKorapsyon,” Manzano added, referring to the P1.38 trillion earmarked in the 2026 proposed budget.
