Budget deliberations in the Senate are expected to begin after the chamber formally receives a copy of the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

According to the new Senate Committee on Finance Chairperson Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, he will maintain the transparent budget deliberations as initiated last year.

The Senator stated that there will be no last-minute insertions allowed in the bicameral conference.

“Hindi ko na papayagan ang last-minute insertions lalong-lalo na sa bicam. No more amendments or insertions during bicam. Mangyayari lang yung amendments or insertions during plenary sa budget deliberations,” he said

[“I will no longer allow last-minute insertions, especially during the bicam. No more amendments or insertions during the bicameral conference. Amendments or insertions will only take place during plenary budget deliberations.”]

Sen. Ejercito ensures that the entire budget process will be open to the public and no secret bicameral conference will happen.

“Open ang budget hearings. Civil service organizations, academe, stakeholders are welcome anytime. They can access information anytime. So kung ano yung sinimulan noon ni Sen. Win na reforms ay ipagpapatuloy natin,” the Senator said

[The budget hearings are open. Civil service organizations, academe, stakeholders are welcome anytime. They can access information anytime. So we will continue the reforms started by Sen. Win.”]

The budget committee hearings will be held every Thursday and Friday.

With reports from Jed Nerecina