Senator Imee Marcos speaks during the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday, October 17, 2024. (NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — A letter seeking to improve the processes of bicameral conference committee discussions on the proposed 2025 budget has been submitted to Senate President Chiz Escudero.
The letter came from Sen. Imee Marcos, who proceeded to enumerate four points on how she wants to propose improvements relative to the forthcoming bicameral conference committee discussions.
She is particularly interested in the disagreeing votes of the Senate and the House of Representatives on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
“All Vice-Chairpersons of the subcommittee on finance be elected as members of the bicameral committee to participate in the discussion of the proposed amendments,” Senator Marcos requested as contained in her letter.
“There should be discussion [or] coordination with counterpart members of the House of Representatives before actual committee meetings,” it added.
Apart from these requests, Marcos wants the finance committee to inform and discuss with all vice chairpersons the proposed amendments to the budgets of departments or agencies under their coverage.
She likewise emphasized the need to openly discuss all “major bicam amendments” to the GAB among all members.
Escudero’s office received Marcos’ letter on November 5.
Bicam deliberation on the 2025 GAB is scheduled for November 28 to 30.
Earlier, Marcos appealed that bicameral conference committee meetings do not consist merely of picture takings.
“Sana naman may kaunting diskusyon, at least ‘yung major changes. Debatihin naman natin sa maayos na bicam,” she told reporters in a forum.
(I hope there will be some discussions, at least about the major changes. Let’s debate properly in the bicam.)
“Huwag naman yung biglang nagkakasisihan. Biglang nagkakaturuan kung bakit naisingit ‘yan. Tapos, kukuhanin yung e-signature mo. Tapos [sasabihin], ‘Alam mo ‘yan.’ Papaano naman yung ganon?” she asked.
(It shouldn’t be that suddenly there’s blame-shifting. People suddenly point fingers at why something was inserted. Then, your e-signature is requested. Then, one is told, ‘You know that.’ How can that be?)