Palace says better for Sara Duterte to attend bicam amid budget doubts
Vice President Sara Duterte, joined by her brother, Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, addresses supporters along Elliptical Road in Quezon City on September 11, 2026, after appearing before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. Duterte was scheduled to be arraigned on three counts of grave threats, but the court deferred the arraignment to a later date. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA (UPDATE) — It would be better for Vice President Sara Duterte to attend the bicameral conference on the 2027 national budget to address her doubts on its utilization, Malacañang said Thursday.
Duterte earlier said there have been allegations of “cash distribution and political maneuvering” around the proposed national budget.
She has also asked if the budget “has…become a bargaining chip to pressure senators who will sit as judges and reward those who vote ‘yes’ in the House of Representatives.”
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing on Thursday, October 15 that the vice president did not provide any evidenceof her allegations.
The Palace official also pointed out that the power of the purse rests with Congress.
“So kung mayroon siyang duda, para maliitin ang impeachment court, mas maganda siguro umupo siya sa Bicam conference kung mayroon na,” Castro said.
(So if she has any doubts — to put down the impeachment court — it would be be better if she sits in the bicam conference when it is held.)
The bicam meetings have historically been held behind closed doors and have been surrounded by allegations of last-minute changes and insertions.
Congressional leaders have vowed more transparent budget deliberations.
This comes as Senate Committee on Finance Chairperson JV Ejercito on Wednesday expressed concern over reduced funding for health, transportation and other vital programs and projects in the House of Representatives’ version of the General Appropriations Bill — the proposed national budget for 2027.
“Magkakaroon ng bicam conference, so diyan na nila lahat busisiin iyan. Kung may mali, pag-usapan nila,” Castro said.
(There will be a bicam conference, so they can hash everythign out there. If there is something wrong, they can correct it.)
She reiterated promises from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Budget and Management that implementation of the 2027 budget will be closely monitored.
“Dapat ang pondo, bawat piso ay para sa Pilipino,” she said.
(Every peso in public funds should be for Filipinos.)