House, Senate open bicameral conference for P5.7T nat’l budget for 2024

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Speaker Martin Romualdez. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Bicameral Conference Committee formally convened on Thursday to discuss next year’s P5.768 trillion national budget.

The committee, comprising selected lawmakers from the House of Representatives and the Senate, faces the challenge of reconciling conflicting provisions in House Bill No. 8980, which contains the 2024 national budget.

The conference was again held at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City.

Confidential funds (CF) for selected government agencies were anticipated to be scrutinized during debates.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III earlier floated the idea that CF allocations that the House of Representatives removed from certain civilian government agencies may still be restored during the bicameral committee conference.

Hence, the opposition senator urged people calling for the abolition of secret funds for civilian state agencies to remain vigilant, noting that “anything goes” at the bicameral level.

“That’s why those who are interested should stand guard over this issue until the end. They should keep an eye on the bicam report,” Pimentel already warned.

Once the bicameral conference is concluded, a report will be sent back to both chambers of Congress for ratification. Once ratified, the budget bill will be transmitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for review and signature.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri previously expressed confidence that the 2024 national budget may reach the President’s office for Marcos’ signature by the first or second week of December.