Refined bicam process eyed

MANILA, Philippines —   Sen. Imee Marcos will write a letter to the Senate leadership to refine the bicameral conference committee process and prevent a repeat of last year’s insertions in the national budget.

At the Kapihan sa Senado forum yesterday, Marcos said she does not want the bicam stage – where the House of Representatives and Senate meet to reconcile differing versions – to be used for “personal” gains of lawmakers wanting to tinker with the budget.

She cited the P12-billion insertion for the Commission on Elections’ conduct and supervision of elections, referenda and recall votes and plebiscites, as well as the P26.7-billion Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Marcos had warned that these insertions in the 2024 budget were supposed to be used for the House-backed Charter change through people’s initiative, which was later aborted after senators flagged bribery allegations and the use of social welfare funds to gather signatures.

“I am drafting a ‘love letter’ to the leadership about the bicam process. It has become too personal in its insertions. There should be more transparency and accountability,” Marcos said.

The senator also called for the bicameral meeting to be opened to the public and media to prevent billions of budgetary insertions for some lawmakers’ pet projects.

Senate President Francis Escudero said he would wait for Marcos’ letter about changing the bicameral process.

“I shall await her letter regarding her suggestions and relay it to Sen. Grace Poe, who is the chair of the finance committee, so she can discuss it with her members and House counterparts at the proper time,” Escudero said.