BAYAN launches protest ahead of bicam hearings: 'Jail the corrupt'

Members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) staged a picket Saturday outside the Pasay City venue of the bicameral conference committee hearings on the proposed 2026 national budget as public uproar continues over alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

According to GMA Integrated News' Darlene Cay, protesters gathered outside the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) hours before the first hearing was expected to commence. 

Protesters carried placards emblazoned with messages demanding that the corrupt be thrown in jail, reforms in government spending be implemented, and funding for education, health, pensions, and other social services be increased.

Lawmakers from both the Senate and House of Representatives are scheduled to convene in the afternoon to begin deliberations on the conflicting provisions of the P.6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2026.

Bayan Secretary General Mong Palatino was quoted as saying that delays in the start of the bicam were "suspicious." 

He also branded the proposed budget as laden with pork barrel, referring to the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations that allegedly ended up in lawmakers' pockets.

Amid widespread clamor to rid the budget of corruption, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. tasked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) last September to conduct a sweeping review of the DPWH proposed budget under the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

The Palace later said other agencies should review its own proposals as well.

Last Tuesday, December 9, the Senate passed on final reading the 2026 GAB, or House Bill 4058. For its part, the House of Representatives approved the proposed budget on final reading on October 13.

The signing of the 2026 General Appropriations Act by the President is targeted on December 29. Malacañang had said the national budget is expected to be submitted for his review and approval by Christmas Day. — VDV, GMA Integrated News